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Category: Sports

  • Sportel Monaco’s exciting conference line up

    Sportel Monaco’s exciting conference line up

    CANNES: The days are being counted down on Sportel Monaco, the leading confab for the sports media, broadcast and technology industry. Scheduled to be held from 28-30  October 2024 in the Grimaldi Forum, it features conference programming capturing the hottest topics and future trends, presented by a new wave of top tier visionaries, star studded businessmen and disruptive innovators, at the heart of a bustling exhibition and market floor – the largest gathering of its kind, bringing together decision makers from the global sports media industry. 
     
    Industry heavyweights including Alibaba Group president & director J. Michael Evans, OBS CEO Yiannis Exarchos, WBD Sports Europe SVP content, production & business operations Scott Young led by Michael R. Payne, will share exclusive insights around “Paris 2024: An Olympic Broadcast & Viewership Success,” which showcased the biggest tech overhaul in decades – never seen at this level at the Olympics. 
     
    Inspiring discussions with footballing legends turned entrepreneurs lead the way, starting with, Kosmos-Kings League Founder  Gerard Piqué who will share exclusive insights about the creation of this competition with a Gen Z focus and how it is disrupting the beautiful game. Marco Materazzi, official ambassador of (GRAS) Blockchain Sports and mentor of the Brazilian reality show “O Grande Jogo” (The Big Game) will talk about how he is helping young boys to develop their football talents and become a part of the sport. The renowned Laliga president  Javier Tebas will share through his highly anticipated Keynote session, how Laliga is leading the change as a top tier sports organisation to fight against audiovisual fraud in the sports media and broadcast industry. 

    Two exciting masterclass topics will be hosted by SportBusiness including, “Behind the Lens: Creating a Successful Sports Docuseries,” diving into the business of creating blockbuster sports docuseries. Revealing the key factors that turn compelling sports narratives into profitable, global entertainment phenomena, will be the PGA Tour (Tom Jeffs), World Athletics (James Lord) and Fremantle (Georgette Schlick), led by SportBusiness’s Callum McCarthy. Following on, SportBusiness’s Imran Yusuf will host the Sportel  spotlight panel, “What’s Next for Cricket as it Continues its Growth Journey?,” both commercially, powered by India, but also still going strong in its historical territories, notably the UK and Australia and now exploring new exciting territories such as the US, how are fans and digital set to play a key role? Expert panelists include Fox Sports Australia (Nic Goard), Rajasthan Royals, (Jake Lush McCrum) and Quidich (Gaurav Mehta).

    Sponsorship is now the second most important revenue stream for most rights holders and an informative panel, “The Role of Sponsorship Evolving in an Industry Under Pressure to Generate Revenues,” will dive into the different models of sponsorship, whether category exclusive marketing rights, or a broader, more fragmented sponsorship strategy and how brands strategically connect with their target audiences. Sponsorship experts led by Sportel’s  Giovanni Aquilanti will feature Milano Cortina 2026 (Nevio Devide), Fifa, (Marco Nazzari) and Protocol Sports Marketing (Lowell Conn) to complete the line up.

    Opening the conference programme will be podcast pioneers, Unofficial Partner, with its popular sports media podcast series coming to the Sportel stage. “The Bundle Live” will explore the biggest stories of 2024 and the people and companies having the greatest impact on the sports media industry. Expert insights will be shared by Gemba Europe & Middle East (Claire Kelly), EBU, (Glen Killane), OneFootball (Yannick Ramcke) and led by Unofficial Partner’s Richard Gillis.

    Speakers Corner will also play host to a slate of case studies and presentations highlighting the latest technologies and solutions trending for the sports media and broadcast industry, including topics and speakers: “Live Sport Production” (LiveU with EBU/Actua Films); “Building a champions league of MMA” (PFL); “How Fast  is Shaping the Future of Sports Streaming” (WURL with EBU/Nagra and World Rugby); “Maximising a League’s Value Beyond Automafc Producfon” (Spiideo with Svensk Elitfotboll); “First Live Referee Camera in MMA” (Tivio Studio); “Amazon Web Services Innovation in Sport” (AWS with European League of Football); “Future Fans: Engaging Younger Audiences with GenAI” (WSC Sports); “Reality Show the Big Game” (Blockchain Sports with Marco Materazzi); “Revolutionizing Sports Streaming: AI and New Monetisation Innovations” (Harmonic) and “The Opportunities and Vision for Regional Sports: CBC Sports Connect’s Evolufon” (Pixellot with CBC).

    New for 2024, the Innovation Stage will also shine the spotlight not once, but twice on multiple presentations: “Private 5G, Mobile & Ultra Low Latency: Lessons Learned from a Summer in Paris” (Haivision); “Sports ABC – Sports Economy and AI Tech” (ISB with Ztudium) and “Breaking Down The Fan-Centered Formula for Sports Streaming Success” (Infront Lab, whose Activation Engine will be on display throughout masterclasses at Sportel  Monaco for interactive polls and audience Q&A).

    Warming up to the “pitch” session, now a firm highlight at Sportel events, the spotlight will shift to a select group of new Sportel companies that are transforming and revolutionising sports content with AI and other groundbreaking technologies, in this quick-fire pitch, powered by Magnifi. Each “Pitcher” will have just three minutes to present and two minutes Q&A, to impress both the audience and an international panel of judges, with the winners receiving prize money and prestige!

    Another first, is a special event championing women in sports media and innovation, co- sponsored by AWS, with a networking lunch and the panel: “How Women are Driving Innovation in Sports,” featuring awesome ladies led by AWS (Julie Souza), with Formula E (Aarf Dabas), and SailGP (Melissa Lawton) and Sportradar (Diana Ustymenko). Wrapping up on day three, is another first in collaboration with SVG, the “Sports & Generative AI Workshop,” with sessions led by SVG’s Ken Kerschbaumer and George Bevir, plus guest moderator Carlo de Marchis (A guy with a scarf). An interactive discussion between the panelists and audience, will debate the potential role AI will play in everything from rights, advertising, content creation, content distribution, and the fan experience, addressing concerns and opportunities. On stage panelists include AWS (Paul Devlin and Dave Mace), PGA Tour (Scott Gutterman), Veritone (Peter Leeb), Magnifi (Ross Tanner) Spectatr (Shifa Garg), ISB (Ursula Romero), HBS (Johannes Franken) and Tradable Bits (Maurizio Barbieri),
    entwined with lots of audience engagement throughout the morning, wrapping up a truly engaging and innovative Sportel conference programme.

    “Sportel Monaco continues to evolve, with the pulse of the sports media landscape. This year, we are thrilled to welcome an unprecedented number of executive leaders and innovators, sharing their visions on the future of sports media and the technologies that are redefining our industry. In 2024, the focus on emerging trends such as AI and innovations for broadcast, demonstrates how Sportel remains at the forefront of innovation. Our goal is to provide participants with an environment where they can not only discover these technologies and trends, but also engage with the minds shaping the future of global sports.” said Sportel Monaco executive director Loris Menoni.

  • Pickleball World Rankings names National Pickleball League Australia as official 2025 Oceania partner

    Pickleball World Rankings names National Pickleball League Australia as official 2025 Oceania partner

    New Delhi: Pickleball World Rankings (PWR) and  National Pickleball League (NPL) have confirmed a partnership that establishes NPL as the exclusive and official tournament and league provider for the Oceania region in 2025. Through this partnership, NPL’s leagues and tournaments will now be part of the PWR structure, allowing NPL players to earn points towards their PWR ranking and assist in qualifying for the PWR World Series.

    PWR is home to the newly created Pickleball World Rankings, along with the PWR World Tour and PWR World Series. As a unified global ranking system, PWR offers a clear path for pickleball players to earn ranking points by competing in regional events. Players accumulate points through the PWR World Tour and can qualify for the PWR World Series.

    NPL runs the Professional Teams League (NPL ProTour) and a professional tournament circuit.

    As PWR’s exclusive partner in Oceania, only NPL events—both league and tournaments—will award PWR ranking points in the region. This collaboration aims to unify regional bodies under one global structure, supporting the long-term growth and governance of pickleball.

    The exact point structure for NPL Australia tournaments will be announced later in 2024, but all events will fall under PWR’s established categories: PWR50, PWR100, PWR200, PWR400, PWR700, PWR1000, and PWR2000.

    PWR is a partnership between The Times Group, the news and entertainment leader in India and Pickleball League Asia Private Limited.  PWR, the PWR World Series, and the PWR World Tour were launched in Dubai in July’2024, with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) announced as the host region for the first PWR World Series.

    PWR had also recently announced PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League, a grand pickleball tour and league for India. The former World number one tennis player Andre Agassi will visit India in January 2025 to officially flag off the PWR DUPR Indian Tour & League.

    PWR DUPR India Masters, a PWR700 event on the PWR World Tour, with an impressive roster of 750 players—both professionals and amateurs, is being held in New Delhi from 24th to 27th October 2024. This event is a key milestone for pickleball, boosting its presence on both the Indian and global sports landscapes.

    NPL CEO Ron Shell said: “We are thrilled to partner with PWR for 2025 and support their significant investment in the global pickleball ecosystem. PWR’s vision for the sport is incredibly exciting, providing our players with the opportunity to be part of a global movement while still enjoying regional competition. The introduction of a unified, international ranking pathway is exactly what has been missing. We look forward to delivering top-tier Oceania leagues and tournaments in 2025, helping players progress in their professional pickleball careers.”

    The Times Group managing director Vineet Jain said: “The vision of PWR is to unify the global pickleball community and drive the growth of pickleball in global markets. The partnership with NPL is a step in that direction and we are excited to partner with them”

    PWR CEO Pranav Kohli added: “Australia is a key market for the growth of PWR in the Oceania region. We’re excited to collaborate with Ron, David, and the entire NPL Australia team. This partnership is a major step in PWR’s global expansion.”

  • Nike extends partnership with NBA, WNBA & NBA G League through 2037

    Nike extends partnership with NBA, WNBA & NBA G League through 2037

    Mumbai: Nike, the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) have announced a 12-year extension of their global partnership, solidifying Nike as the exclusive on-court uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League.

    Nike will extend its rights for 12 more seasons to design and manufacture uniforms, on-court apparel, and fan apparel for these leagues, reinforcing its commitment to developing basketball for the next generation.

    “Nike has always been more than a league sponsor — we’re a strategic partner with an unwavering commitment to growing the game, alongside the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League,” said Nike president and CEO Elliott Hill. “Our collective power, global reach and genuine love for the game will only continue to create new pathways and opportunities for players and fans.”

    The global extension includes new content initiatives, a commitment to grassroots basketball, and a joint membership program offering benefits to fans through unique products, content, and experiences. As the biggest champion of the women’s game, Nike is also increasing its investment in the WNBA.

    “Nike is inextricably linked to basketball and has helped fuel the growth and innovation around our sport for decades,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver. “With an added focus on youth basketball, our expanded partnership will create even more opportunities for aspiring players to learn and compete at all levels and for fans of all ages to engage with the NBA and WNBA.”

    “Since our league’s inception, Nike has committed to a shared vision for girls’ and women’s basketball,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Our continued partnership is an opportunity to fortify avenues for development and enhance touchpoints across our dynamic fanbase while globally showcasing the WNBA.”

    Nike and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have also extended their group license agreement, making Nike an official partner of the NBPA.

    “We’re excited to renew our partnership with Nike and continue to showcase our players’ efforts on and off the court,” said NBPA executive director Andre Iguodala. “This partnership highlights the reach, influence, and impact of our members, driving basketball fandom and inspiring millions of people around the world.”

    The renewal follows the eight-year partnership established in 2015, which made Nike the official on-court outfitter starting with the 2017-18 NBA season. Nike has been an NBA partner since 1992, a marketing partner of the WNBA since its inception in 1997, and a marketing partner of the NBA G League since the 2017-18 season.

    Together, the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, and Nike will continue to expand basketball for the next generation by:

    ●    Introducing programs and resources to make best-in-class youth basketball accessible and scalable, prioritising broad access to age-appropriate coaching and training for youth of all backgrounds through the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA.

    ●    Creating programming designed to improve access and the playing experience for girls of all levels, including through the Jr. WNBA and Basketball Without Borders (BWB).

    ●    Collaborating to enhance development opportunities for players, coaches, and programs across Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL).

    Nike will also grow its presence at marquee league events, including NBA Global Games, NBA All-Star, AT&T WNBA All-Star, the NBA Draft Combine, the WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, NBA 2K Summer League, and the NBA G League Fall Invitational.    

  • FanCode secures rights to revamped Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes

    FanCode secures rights to revamped Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes

    Mumbai: FanCode, a sports destination, will be the streaming the upcoming Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes. Cricket’s most exciting format is set to return after a seven-year hiatus and will see top teams battle it out in Hong Kong from 1 November to 3 November at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

    The Super Sixes has been a marquee event in the global cricket calendar from 1992 to 2017, with likes of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Shane Warne, Sanath Jayasuriya, Glen Maxwell amongst those who have featured in it in the past.

    This year will see 12 teams competing and they have been divided in four groups of 3 each. India and Pakistan have been placed in Group C, with the UAE. South Africa, New Zealand and Hong Kong make up Group A; Australia, England and Nepal will be in Group B while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Oman will be in Group D. The top two teams from each group will compete in the quarterfinals. A total of 29 matches will take place over three days.

    FanCode co-founder Yannick Colaco said, “Hong Kong Super Sixes has always been a fan favorite, showcasing some of cricket’s biggest names. After seven years, its return is highly anticipated, and with FanCode’s broad reach across mobile, web, and TV, we’re thrilled to bring this exciting format to millions of fans in India.”

    Cricket Hong Kong chairperson Burji Shroff, said “We are thrilled to have FanCode as the exclusive streaming partner for the Hong Kong Sixes. Partnering with like-minded brands is key to achieving our vision of making the Hong Kong Sixes a global sporting property, and FanCode’s expertise in delivering exceptional streaming and fan experiences sets them apart.”

    Squads announced so far

    India: Robin Uthappa, Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Stuart Binny, Shreevats Goswami, Bharat Chipli, Shahbaz Nadeem.

    Pakistan: Faheem Ashraf (c), Muhammad Akhlaq, Asif Ali, Danish Aziz, Hussain Talat, Aamer Yamin, Shahab Khan

    South Africa: JJ Smuts (c), Matthew Boast, Evan Jones, Luthando Midiri, Don Radebe, Jacques Snyman, Aubrey Swanepoel

    Hong Kong: Nizakat Khan (c), Zeeshan Ali, Imran Arif, Ehsan Khan, Jason Lui, Sahal Malvernkar, Benny Singh Paras
    Australia: Dan Christian (c), Alex Ross, Andrew Fekete, Fawad Ahmed, Jack Wood, James Pattinson, Sam Heazlett
    New Zealand: Todd Astle, Harmeet Singh, Henry Mcintyre, Raunaq Kapur, Sam Cassidy, Siddesh Dixit, Xavier Bell

    Select playing conditions and format

    Team consists of seven players with six to be nominated to take the field.
    Each innings will consist of six overs, and one bowler can bowl a maximum of 2 overs but not consecutively. Four members can bowl one over each. The wicketkeeper will not be bowling.

    A batter must retire ‘not out’ on reaching a personal score of 50 runs but may not retire before reaching 50 runs. The batter may complete all runs possible off the stroke that takes him to 50 and the full score shall count. If one of the last pair of batter is out, any retired ‘not out’ batter may resume his innings.

    If more than one batter retires then they must return in the order in which they retired. Any batter having not returned in order will be automatically ‘retired out’.
    A penalty of 4 runs shall be awarded by the umpire if an incoming batter does not cross with the outgoing batter on the field of play.

    If five wickets fall (not including batter retiring not out under Rule 6) before 6 overs are completed, the last remaining batter shall bat on with the 5th out batter acting only as a runner. The last remaining batter must always take strike. He shall be declared out if his partner is declared out (run out or obstructing the field). The innings shall be completed at the fall of the sixth wicket.

  • SFA & TV9 kick off U-14 football talent hunt

    SFA & TV9 kick off U-14 football talent hunt

    Mumbai: Sports For All (SFA) has partnered with TV9 Network to support the ‘Indian Tigers and Tigresses’ campaign, a talent hunt for under-14 boys and girls. At the ongoing SFA Championships in Hyderabad, footballers can register for the campaign at a kiosk. The SFA Championships feature over 23,000 students from nearly 400 schools, running from 15 to 28 October, 2024.

    SFA chief revenue officer Darpan Kumar said, “We are excited to partner with TV9 and the ‘Indian Tigers and Tigresses’ at the SFA Championships in Hyderabad. This collaboration strengthens our mission to inspire young athletes and promote grassroots sports excellence across India, fostering the next generation of sporting talent.”

    TV9 Network MD & CEO Barun Das said, “The News9 ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’ initiative is a matter of great pride for us, as takes football in a whole new direction in India. We envision a future where Indian footballers are given opportunities to be in the global spotlight akin to any of the major footballing nations in the West. This is also one of the pillars that need to be leveraged in India’s ascendancy in the global head table. That starts by giving these players a level playing field, by making football a serious career option for these talented youngsters, and training them to be world-class players from a young age. This is not just about finding out what you are good at – it is about opening doors and lighting up thousands of dreams.”

    The ‘Indian Tigers and Tigresses’ campaign, launched in April 2024 through a partnership with football organisations such as DFB, Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund, the International Football Institute, and others, aims to provide young football talent global exposure. The SFA Championships are part of SFA’s initiative to professionalise, organise, and monetise grassroots sports in India. The 2024-25 championships will be held in 10 cities, with 150,000 students from over 7,000 schools competing in 31 sports.

    All matches, including football, will be streamed live on Sfaplay.com.

  • OSU secures broadcast rights for India Ultimate Beach Nationals 2024-25

    OSU secures broadcast rights for India Ultimate Beach Nationals 2024-25

    Mumbai: The India Ultimate Beach Nationals 2024-25, an Ultimate Frisbee tournament organized by India Ultimate, will be broadcast live on Off-Season Ultimate’s (OSU) YouTube channel. OSU, founded by Rishabh Kishore, Tahir Siddiqui, and Maksood Chaudhary, has played a key role in growing the sport through leagues and tournaments nationwide. This partnership supports OSU’s mission to expand the reach of Ultimate Frisbee in India and beyond.

    The tournament, held from 18 to 20 October at Bessy Beach, Chennai, has 17 registered teams so far. OSU, as the exclusive broadcaster, will air every match, bringing the competition and excitement to fans.

    This event marks a key milestone in OSU’s broader initiative to expand the visibility and impact of Ultimate Frisbee across India.

    “We are thrilled to bring the India Ultimate Beach Nationals to a larger audience through our YouTube platform,” said Off-Season Ultimate co-founder Rishabh Kishore. “This tournament is a reflection of how far Ultimate Frisbee has come in India, and being able to broadcast it live is a proud moment for us. With Sportscast on board, we’re confident this event will be a milestone in promoting the sport across the country, creating a platform for players to shine at a national level and elevating its visibility like never before.”

    Ultimate Frisbee, or Ultimate, is a fast-paced sport combining elements of football, American football, and basketball, played with a flying disc. Known for its ‘Spirit of the Game’, players self-officiate, emphasizing integrity in competition. Teams score by catching the disc in the opponent’s end zone, relying on agility, strategy, and teamwork. As the sport gains popularity in India and worldwide, tournaments like the India Ultimate Beach Nationals showcase its talent and sportsmanship.

  • Sportel Monaco 2024: back with a bang

    Sportel Monaco 2024: back with a bang

    MUMBAI: Less than a fortnight from now,  sports media and tech executives from all over the world will be flying into Nice, France to get to the lovely principality of Monaco. The occasion: Sportel, Monaco, which is being held from 28-30 October 2024 in the famed Grimaldi Forum.

    They will spend the three days will be spent  hobnobbing, networking, exchanging ideas and doing deals as Sportel hosts industry leaders for three days of conferences, and exhibitions centred around the most important market floor for sports media.

    Sportel Monaco is expected to attract influential industry players, such as the legendary Laliga president, Javier Tebas and for the first time following the broadcast success of Paris 2024, OBS CEO  and OCS  executive director Yiannis Exarchos, Alibaba group director & president J. Michael Evans, among many more, to discuss the key trends and innovations shaping the future of sports media. A rich programme of expert masterclasses and case study presentations, plus a new sports and generative AI workshop in collaboration with SVG, will complement the business activities and meetings throughout the three-day event. 

    “I am committed to upholding the high standards of excellence that have always defined our event. This year is already shaping up to be a great success, with the exhibition space nearly sold out and the addition of a new conference innovation stage to accommodate an even richer programme,” said Sportel Monaco executive director Loris Menoni.”More new features are coming before the event begins, including an inspiring women’s Lunch, to shape the world of business and beyond. I am excited to welcome our community back to Monaco for what promises to be an exceptional event.”  

    According to data on the Sportel Monaco website, more than 1,501 participants globally have registered to participate in this year’s edition. Additionally, for the very first time, Indiantelevision.com has partnered with the sports confab and is going to be attending the event.

    Amongst the Indian companies in attendance figure: Citadel Advisory group (Rahul Johri), Quidich (Gaurav Mehta, Jaskaran Singh Bakshi), Rajasthan Royals Sports group (Jake LushMccrum), Spectatr (Richa Singh, Manjush Mangal, Rijul Dutta & Shifa Garg),  MultiTV Tech Solutions (Sandeep Bansal, Varun Mathur, Puneet Kumar & Vikas Somata), FanCode (Mandela Kiran) and Indian Television Dot Com’s India Spark, represented by CEO Khalid Khan.

    And they are all ready for some sporting action – off the pitch, of course.

  • India wins bronze at Asian Women’s Club League Handball Championship

    India wins bronze at Asian Women’s Club League Handball Championship

    Mumbai: Golden Eagles Bharat Club secured third place at the seventh Asian Women’s Club League Handball Championship, defeating Uzbekistan’s Uzbechka HC in a penalty shootout at the Dostyk Universal Sports Complex in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

    Captain Menica Thakur’s penalty sealed a three-two shootout win after a 22-22 draw. Priyanka’s last-second equalizer forced the game into penalties, marking the second consecutive year an Indian club finished on the podium.

    “This victory means a lot to us and reflects how far Indian handball has come. The sport is growing, and we’re starting to see what’s possible with the right effort and support. I’m proud to be part of this team and excited for what the future holds for Indian handball,” said Menica, whose performances earned her a spot in the tournament’s all-star team.

    As the Golden Eagles Bharat Women’s Team competed in Almaty, 1700 kilometers away in Aligarh, the next batch of hand-picked handball talents was hard at work at the Golden Eagles Centre of Excellence – Handball. Pavna Industries has recognised India’s untapped handball potential and is supporting its development through the Pavna Sports Venture and the Golden Eagles Centre of Excellence.

    So far, academy players have partaken in International Handball Federation events and the Youth World Championships, showing clear evidence of the program’s progress.

    “The Golden Eagles’ victory is a testament to the incredible potential of handball in India, a sport we are deeply committed to developing from the grassroots to the international stage. Our focus on women’s development is central to this mission, as we aim to create a balanced and thriving sporting culture that inspires generations to come. With every success, we’re showcasing the potential of Indian athletes on the global stage and paving the way for future champions.” explained Pavna Industries executive director and Pavna Sports Venture chairperson Priya Jain.

    The Golden Eagles Centre of Excellence – Handball trains 40 selected athletes to become elite handball players while supporting their overall development. The enrollees learn tactics, refine their skills, and develop core values on the field while continuing their education at the adjacent DPS School.

    Priyanka said: “It is an amazing place. The facilities here are top-notch, and we get everything we need to improve our game. The competition here is really tough, and that pushes us to get better every day. But it’s not just about handball—they make sure we’re taken care of in every way, from our training to our education. We’re taught to work hard on the court and in school, and that really helps us grow as players and as people.”

    The goal is to create a talent pipeline that begins at the Golden Eagles Centre of Excellence – Handball in Aligarh, progresses through domestic leagues, advances to international competitions, and ultimately produces Olympic-level athletes. With a strong focus on grassroots development, the Pavna-led handball initiative continues to grow quietly, with no limits on its potential.

  • Hockey India announces Power Finance Corp (PFC) as title sponsor

    Hockey India announces Power Finance Corp (PFC) as title sponsor

    Mumbai: Hockey India on Wednesday announced Power Finance Corp (PFC), a state-owned company that provides financial assistance to India’s power sector, as the Title Sponsor for the upcoming PFC India Vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series 2024, scheduled to take place on 23 and 24 October 2024 at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.

    This series marks the return of men’s international hockey to the national capital after a decade, made possible due to PFC’s generous support and commitment. The last international match played at the venue was the Hero Hockey World League Final – Men’s Round 4, back in January 2014.

    Under the administrative control of the ministry of power, PFC plays a crucial role in driving growth in the energy sector. Through strategic partnerships and investments, PFC is dedicated to contributing to India’s development through various avenues, with its association with Hockey India for PFC India Vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series 2024 being the most recent initiative.

    Additionally, entry to the PFC India Vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series 2024 will be free for spectators, as part of Hockey India’s effort to make it accessible to all. A free digital ticketing system will be introduced to allow fans to secure their tickets easily. Fans will simply need to visit the official ticketing link and register their details to receive a virtual ticket, which will guarantee them hassle-free access to the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

    Welcoming PFC onboard as the title sponsor, Hockey India president Dr Dilip Tirkey said, “We are delighted to welcome Power Finance Corporation (PFC) as the Title Sponsor for the highly anticipated PFC India Vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series 2024. This series, being played in New Delhi after a decade, is a significant milestone, not just for the city but for Hockey India as we promote the sport across the country. With the support of PFC, we look forward to creating a thrilling atmosphere at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.”

    Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh added, “We are thrilled to have one of the leading state-owned companies, Power Finance Corporation (PFC), as the title sponsor for the PFC India Vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series 2024. Their support will strengthen Hockey India’s vision to grow hockey’s presence in India. With PFC, we look forward to providing a top-notch experience for all hockey fans.”

    Parminder Chopra, CMD, PFC, said, “We at PFC are delighted to be associated with Hockey India for the India vs. Germany Bilateral Hockey Series. This marks a significant milestone as international hockey returns to Delhi after a decade, and PFC is proud to play a vital role in this partnership with Hockey India. We believe that, just like our company, Hockey India is committed to contributing to India’s rise as a global player. We keenly look forward to the series, which will be an unforgettable experience for all fans.”

    India and Germany have a rich hockey history and share a fierce rivalry. In the 19 matches since 2013, India has won 8, while the reigning World Champions and Paris 2024 silver medalists have won 7. The two heavyweights in world hockey last faced each other at the Paris 2024 Olympics semi-final, where the current world champions emerged victorious, winning 3-2.

    The matches will be telecasted on DD Sports and streamed live on FanCode from 1500 hrs onwards on 23rd and 24th October 2024. Entry to the stadium for spectators will begin from 1300 hrs onwards.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Hockey India (@hockeyindia)

     

  • DD Sports, Fancode to broadcast two-match bilateral series between India and Germany

    DD Sports, Fancode to broadcast two-match bilateral series between India and Germany

    Mumbai: DD Sports, the key public sports broadcaster in the country, along with FanCode will broadcast the highly anticipated two-match bilateral hockey series between the Indian Men’s Hockey Team and the Germany Men’s Hockey Team, scheduled to take place on 23 and 24 October 2024 at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.

    FanCode and DD Sports’ combined reach will mean that hockey action will be accessible to fans in every corner of the country, with interest around the game at an all-time high after India’s successful Olympic campaign where the men’s team finished with a bronze medal. Germany ended their campaign with a silver medal.

    Hockey India president Dr Dilip Tirkey enthusiastically said, “We have had a fruitful partnership with FanCode through the Hockey India National Championships. They have played a vital role in making hockey more accessible to sports fans nationwide. With India vs. Germany Test Series set to be streamed on their platform alongside telecast on DD Sports, one of the largest sports channels in India, this partnership will provide a significant boost to our mission of reaching a wider audience.”

    Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh added, “We are thrilled to associate with FanCode and DD Sports for the two-match bilateral series. We are confident that this will enhance the viewing experience for passionate hockey fans in India and contribute significantly to our larger vision of making the sport accessible and visible across India.”

    FanCode co-founder Yannick Colaco said, “We are proud to extend our partnership with Hockey India with the bilateral series between India and Germany. The series showcases the best of international hockey, and we’re excited to bring the action to hockey enthusiasts in India.”

    As part of Hockey India’s vision to promote the sport across the country, this series marks the return of men’s international hockey to the national capital after a decade, with the last match played in January 2014 during the Hero Hockey World League Final – Men’s Round 4.

    Having successfully hosted the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, and the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier in Ranchi, Hockey India has expanded its efforts beyond Odisha to grow hockey’s presence in India. The organization is also gearing up to host the upcoming Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, Bihar, in November 2024.