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Category: Sports

  • Racer Akshay Gupta signs deal with Mertens Motorsport

    Racer Akshay Gupta signs deal with Mertens Motorsport

    Mumbai: Akshay Gupta, the dynamic racer and tech founder, has officially inked a deal with Mertens Motorsport for the highly anticipated 2024 Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) season which will take place on the Nürburgring circuit in Germany.

    The NLS is widely renowned as one of the oldest and most esteemed endurance racing championships globally since its inception in the 1970s. Akshay’s signing represents a significant milestone for Indian motorsport, as he becomes the country’s sole racer set to compete against over 300 drivers and 117 cars.

    The Ahmedabad-based racer discovered some injuries while doing a few rounds in the championship with Adrenalin Motorsport in a BMW last year, which required him to undergo surgeries on both his hands. Despite still undergoing recovery from the surgeries, Akshay’s passion for racing has fueled his return to the track as he remains actively engaged in pre-season testing during the ongoing recovery process.

    The 31-year-old will pilot the Hyundai i30N (car number 492) for Mertens Motorsport in the upcoming season.

    Sharing his thoughts on joining Mertens Motorsport, Akshay Gupta expressed, “Racing at the Nurburgring circuit has always been a dream. It used to be my laptop wallpaper for 15 years before I got to race here last year. The experience gained last year taught us a lot about the track, level of competition, cars, and different conditions. This year, the goal is pretty clear. I want to conquer the most challenging racetrack out there.”

    “We are in a championship-winning team, in one of the most tightly fought categories: VT2-F, racing with equally competent teammates with 10,000 km of simulator practice put in. I am confident that this season will bring us some good results and I look forward to hoisting the Indian flag on the podium as many times as I can,” he further added.

    Mertens Motorsport, a German Racing Team founded in 2020, has quickly solidified its reputation as a formidable contender in the NLS with an impressive track record of capturing the NLS VT2-F Championship title in 2023 and also securing the NLS Team Trophy in the same year. Akshay’s addition to the team will contribute to elevating their performance.

    “I am very pleased that Akshay Gupta is moving to Mertens Motorsport this season. We did the pre-season testing in March and immediately the chemistry was right, this is very important for a race team given that we compete in endurance racing where the cars are shared with other racers. It’s remarkable the lengths he goes to compete in the championship. We welcome him onboard and thank him for putting the faith in our team,” said Mertens Motorsport team owner Daniel Mertens.

    Having begun his career as a professional racer in 2010, Akshay demonstrated his prowess behind the wheel by finishing as a runner-up at the Buddh International Circuit for Toyota in the season finale of the National Championship in 2013. His remarkable talent also earned him recognition from Nissan, who selected him after a rigorous driver selection program out of 10,000 drivers in India to compete in their Asian GT Academy Finale held in the UK. The competition has become a major feature film released on Netflix called Gran Turismo.

    Parallel to his racing endeavours, Akshay’s urge to fulfill his passion for racing led him to entrepreneurship, where he founded a Connected Car technology start-up called Scouto which has notably been acquired by online used-car retailing unicorn Spinny in December 2021. This serves as a testament to his success both on and off the racetrack and following his triumphs in the entrepreneurial landscape, the Indian has returned to his roots in racing.

    “Since the day I was 2 years old I have only played with cars, when I turned 4, my dad got me a go-kart and that consumed all of my playtime as a kid. It was only in my early teens that I realized that there’s a career called being a racecar driver and ever since that day I have been pursuing the dream to keep racing cars across the globe. It is the most expensive sport in the world, and for the son of a bank manager, I had to find creative ways to get back into it. After having sold my company, I’m thrilled to return to my first love full-time, racing cars,” stated Akshay Gupta.

    Akshay’s journey with Mertens Motorsport will kick off with the season opener at the NLS1: 64. ADAC ACAS Cup on April 6. Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 12 pm IST, followed by the pit walk and grid walk at 1:45 pm IST. The race is set to commence at 3:30 pm IST with the action being streamed live on Nurburgring’s official YouTube channel.

    Championship calendar https://www.nuerburgring-langstrecken-serie.de/en/calendar-nurburgring-langstrecken-serie-2024/
     

  • Disney Star delivers biggest IPL with 35 crore viewers for first 10 matches

    Disney Star delivers biggest IPL with 35 crore viewers for first 10 matches

    Mumbai: Disney Star, the official broadcaster of TATA IPL 2024, has shattered all viewership records for the first 10 matches of the marquee tournament. As per BARC, 35 crore viewers tuned in to watch the live broadcast of the first 10 IPL matches, higher than any previous edition of the tournament including seasons played during the pandemic. The overall watch-time for the tournament has sky-rocketed to 8028 crore minutes which is 20 per cent higher than last year. Powered by a wide array of fan-centric initiatives, enriched programming, and a compelling marketing campaign, match ratings for season 17 of the tournament have also galloped 22 per cent compared to the last edition. With the Rivalry Week between 8 and 14 April, the broadcaster is geared to take the tournament buzz even higher.  

    Disney Star head – sports Sanjog Gupta said, “We are overwhelmed with the record-breaking viewing figures for TATA IPL 2024. Disney Star has started season 17 from where it left off last year, doubling down on fan-centred initiatives that seek to drive passion and fandom for the tournament. The unwavering support and love received from fans and audiences alike is an affirmation of Star Sports’ belief in the aggregative capacity of IPL on TV as well as its potential for further growth. The figures also reflect the success of our endeavour to enhance the IPL viewing experience through broadcast and programming innovations, including HDR-enhanced 4K, interactive services, and multi-platform fan engagement. We continue to remain committed to our vision of serving sports fans and recruiting new audiences.”

    Disney Star is broadcasting TATA IPL 2024 across 14 feeds in 10 languages with a special feed in Indian sign language for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and visually impaired fans. The marketing campaign for the edition 17 of the tournament – “AJAB IPL KE GAJAB RANG” – was based on the tournament insight that a fan’s true colours are seen through the ebbs and flows of one’s team’s performance in the tournament and that the same moment in IPL is experienced very differently by different viewers.

    Disney Star also launched several new programming initiatives including custom highlights catering to different cohorts of fans, shows like Cheeky Singles (hosted by Asia’s largest YouTuber – Carry Minati), and activations to collaborate with the content creator ecosystem across platforms. It has also introduced a special broadcast for kids every Sunday afternoon – Super Funday – to better serve 8-12 year olds and continues to power activations like Star Nahi Far, which bring fans closer to the superstars.

    *ALL BARC DATA 2+U+R*
     

  • TAM Sports: IPL 17 ad volumes surge by four per cent in seven matches

    TAM Sports: IPL 17 ad volumes surge by four per cent in seven matches

    Mumbai: TAM Sports has released an IPL report based on the first seven matches of IPL 17 and for all the channels on which matches are telecasted.

    IPL 17 ad volumes surge by four per cent over the previous season’s seven match span.

    The count of categories in IPL 17 increased significantly by 65 per cent compared to IPL 16. Also, the count of advertisers increased by 28 per cent during IPL 17 over IPL 16.

    In categories, Ecom-Gaming, maintained its top position throughout all the seven matches of IPL 17. The top five categories in IPL 17 together had 52 per cent share of ad volumes. Ecom-Gaming & Pan Masala were the only common categories in IPL 17 and IPL 16. Out of the total five categories, two of them belonged to F&B sector in IPL 17. The top five advertisers of IPL 17 contributed 34 per cent share of ad volumes with Sporta Technologies leading the list. Sporta Technologies, Vishnu Packaging and Bharti Airtel were the common advertisers between IPL 17 & IPL 16. Among the top five advertisers in IPL 17, Sporta Technologies retained its 1st position during all the seven matches.

    30 new categories and 55 new brands advertised in seven matches of IPL 7 compared to the same number of matches in IPL 16. Among the 55 new brands, ‘Parle Food Products’ was the leading brand followed by ‘Airtel Xstream Fiber’.

  • Chennaiyin FC & Norwich City FC Collaborate for Football Development and Global Outreach

    Chennaiyin FC & Norwich City FC Collaborate for Football Development and Global Outreach

    Mumbai: Chennaiyin FC and English football club Norwich City FC are delighted to announce a strategic partnership aimed at fostering mutual growth, innovation, and collaboration in football. This partnership brings together two esteemed football clubs from different parts of the world, united in their commitment to excellence on and off the pitch.

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the clubs on Wednesday in Chennai during a press conference that was attended by Ekansh Gupta, Vice President of Chennaiyin FC, alongside Sam Jeffery, Commercial Director at Norwich City FC.

    Chennaiyin FC and Norwich City FC bring to the partnership a wealth of experience, expertise, and unique footballing philosophies. By joining forces, the clubs will create a platform for the exchange of knowledge, technical expertise, coaching methodologies, and player development strategies.

    “We are delighted to unveil our collaboration with Norwich City. Let me be clear: this is far from a mere marketing ploy. We anticipate significant advancements for our developmental teams through this partnership. I am confident that we can assist Norwich City in achieving their aim of establishing a presence within the Indian sports ecosystem,” commented Chennaiyin FC vice president Ekansh Gupta.

    Both Chennaiyin FC and Norwich City FC are led by women entrepreneurs, Vita Dani and Delia Smith, who are focused on harnessing the power of the sport and developing local talent.

    Commenting on the partnership Norwich City FC commercial director Sam Jeffery said: “This is an extremely exciting moment for Norwich City as we enter into our partnership with Chennaiyin FC, and with it the Indian football market.

    “India has the fastest growing sports economy in the world, and football is the fastest growing participation sport here too. We believe there’s significant commercial opportunity in this fantastic part of the world, and we’re really excited to build a mutually beneficial and culturally authentic collaboration with our friends at Chennaiyin FC.”

    Chennaiyin FC brings to the partnership a deep understanding of the Indian football landscape, offering valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of operating in this market. Additionally, the club is eager to facilitate cultural exchange programs and collaborate on joint marketing initiatives to engage diverse audiences and promote the vision of both clubs.

    Norwich City FC’s technical expertise and involvement in workshops and seminars will play a crucial role in enhancing coaching standards and methodologies at Chennaiyin FC. Active participation in youth development programs, including talent identification processes and coaching clinics, will further strengthen the impact of the partnership.

    Periodic friendly matches and training camps organised by both clubs will provide valuable exposure to players and contribute to the growth of football in their respective regions.

    Norwich City have won the League Cup twice, in 1961-62 and 1984-85, and finished third in the 1992-93 season of the English Premier League. They also clinched the EFL Championship title in the 2018-19, and 2020-21 seasons. They are currently in sixth position in the ongoing season of the Championship, keeping themselves in the race for a Premier League promotion.

    Chennaiyin FC are currently competing in the ISL 2023-24 with their next match scheduled against Jamshedpur FC in Chennai on Thursday, their hopes for a top-six finish, are very much alive. 

  • Yavatmal’s Yuvraj Rathod wins a car on Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan

    Yavatmal’s Yuvraj Rathod wins a car on Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan

    Mumbai: Even as the TATA IPL 2024 continued to enthral fans and viewers with exciting action on the ground, JioCinema continued to bring the same excitement on their platform as Week 2 saw Yavatmal-based Yuvraj Rathod winning an elegant hatchback by playing Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan.

    “I am very happy to have won the car by playing Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan as this is the first time that our family will own a car,” said Rathod, a 20-year-old son of a farmer.

    Tripura’s Satyajog Das won a bike the night Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a narrow 2-run win over Punjab Kings on March 25. Suresh Thakor from Anand, Gujarat, won a Smart TV during the same match. Chennai Super Kings’ 63-run win over Gujarat Titans the following day gave Manipur’s Khulakpam Shahadat Ali keys to his new two-wheeler and Puducherry’s Nalam Rao a Smart TV.

    Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan got its first winner from Jammu & Kashmir as Arshid Hussain Dar got a bike during the run-fest between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians on March 27, and the first winner from Karnataka as Krushnanaik U got home a Smart TV. Match Day 9 was lucky for Ahmedabad residents as Vijaydan Gadhavi won a bike and Rinku Rathor won a Smart TV playing Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan during Rajasthan Royals’ win over Delhi Capitals.

    Satara’s Sagar Pujari won a bike when Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team this season to lose a match at home. Shyamu Bind won a Smart TV the same night and became the first person from Uttar Pradesh to win a prize on Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan this season. Sabalagadh’s Pankaj Sharma got lucky when Lucknow Super Giants got the better of Punjab Kings on March 30. The same night Shivram Sable from Murumkheda Village near Aurangabad won a Smart TV playing Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan.

    Free-to-play, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan will also offer viewers multiple brand coupons of great value and discount coupons for buying exclusive stickers on JioCinema for every right answer. Viewers can hold the phone in portrait or landscape mode, a new feature for fans this year, and that will open a chat box at the bottom of the screen where the question appears before every over along with four options. Viewers who give the most correct answers during the match, stand a chance to win the grand prizes.

    Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan aims to enhance the viewer’s experience and involvement while watching the TATA IPL on JioCinema vis-à-vis passively watching the league on legacy platforms. Introduced last season, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan was an instant success as lucky contestants drove away a premium hatchback car. Within just one season of IPL, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan became a platform for heartwarming tales of changed fortunes from India’s heartlands.

    Fans can watch the latest season of the TATA IPL for free in 4K across 12 languages introducing Haryanvi for the first time, multi-cam options including the much-hyped Hero Cam, and many more fan-engagement features in addition to Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan.

     

  • Vini Jr. and Lamine Yamal shine in March LALIGA AWARDS

    Vini Jr. and Lamine Yamal shine in March LALIGA AWARDS

    Mumbai: LALIGA, as part of its agreement with Globe Soccer, hands out the “LALIGA AWARDS, The Pride of our football” each month recognising top performers in five categories: best goal, best player, best coach, best play and best U23 player.

    To choose these awards, the opinion of the expert committee is added to that of the fans, who can choose each month’s winners on the competition’s website.

    This month’s winners are:

    Best Player: Vini Jr has been voted the LALIGA EA SPORTS MVP for March, a distinction awarded by LALIGA together with EA. Real Madrid’s Brazilian striker has excelled over the past month with five goals in his team’s three LALIGA EA SPORTS matches in March.

    Vini Jr’s five goals helped Real Madrid to seven points from a possible nine during March and, the capital city side maintained an eight-point lead over second-placed FC Barcelona at the top of the standings.

    Best Goal: Lamine Yamal’s goal against RCD Mallorca was voted Best Goal of LALIGA EA SPORTS in March, a distinction awarded by LALIGA together with GolBall.

    In the 73rd minute of the game and with the score at 0-0, Yamal received a pass from Lewandowski, cut inside and with a powerful left-footed shot put the ball straight into the top corner to score a truly stunning goal – the eventual match winner – and sparked madness at the Lluís Companys.

    Best Coach: Marcelino García Toral has been named LALIGA EA SPORTS Best Coach in March, an award presented by LALIGA in conjunction with Microsoft. The Villarreal CF coach oversaw a sensational month of March in which his side took maximum points.

    Los Groguets won all their games across the month, starting with a 5-1 home win over Granada CF. They came from behind to beat Real Betis 3-2 at the Benito Villamarín and ended the month with a 1-0 win over Valencia CF in front of their home fans in the Valencian derby.

    Best Under-23 Player: Pau Cubarsí has been named LALIGA EA SPORTS Best Under-23 Player of the Month for March, an award presented by LALIGA together with Sorare. The young FC Barcelona player has become a permanent fixture in the Blaugrana’s defensive line at just 17 years of age.

    Cubarsí’s regularity and defensive solidity, along with his more than proven ability to play out from the back, make the youngster one of the great revelations of the season and his performances are real vindication for coach Xavi Hernández’s faith in the club’s conveyer belt of young talent.

    Best Play: Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino receive the LALIGA EA SPORTS Best Play of March award, a distinction granted by LALIGA together with VisitSaudi.

    Real Sociedad vs Cadiz CF at the Reale Arena. Take Kubo picked up the ball to take a corner as the visiting defence was positioned in the box. Before that could happen, the Japanese saw Oyarzabal completely unmarked at the near post, on the edge of the six-yard box and quickly placed a low ball to Oyarzabal, who, with his back to him, set up Merino seamlessly. The midfielder took advantage of his team-mate’s brilliant back-heeled assist to strike with his right foot and catch Ledesma completely off his line, scoring the first goal of the match which would end 2-0. 

  • Dream Sports Foundation (DSF) launches ‘Dream Sports Championship’

    Dream Sports Foundation (DSF) launches ‘Dream Sports Championship’

    Mumbai: Dream Sports Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dream Sports, a sports technology company, has launched Dream Sports Championship (DSC), a national football tournament scheduled for April and May, spanning six key football hubs in India. As the country’s only second such U17 Football Competition, DSC will serve as a catalyst for identifying young talent, with the potential to represent the nation on an international stage.

    Featuring teams from major AIFF-accredited clubs and academies, the competition seeks to elevate youth-based competitions in Indian football, providing aspiring champions a platform to showcase their skills at the highest level. With the involvement of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), this tournament offers players a pathway to selection for the National Camp in June.

    Commenting about the launch, Dream Sports COO & co-founder Bhavit Sheth said, “We believe that the path to creating world-class champions is by building long-term and sustainable programs. In addition to our already existing grassroot training and mentorship programs, we have now added high-quality competition and avenues for early talent identification via Dream Sports Championship. This platform will help scouts tap into India’s vast potential at an early stage and groom potential talent. We are thankful to AIFF for its support and look forward to DSC becoming a springboard for identification of future national champions.”

    Dream Sports Foundation plans to expand the scope of Dream Sports Championships in the coming years, aiming to incorporate a wider range of sports. In the upcoming 2024 football edition, participating teams will kick off their journey in the Regional Round Phase. Spanning across six cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Shillong, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Goa — the Regional Round Phase is scheduled from 1 to 18 April to April. Subsequently, the top eight teams will advance to the national final slated for May 2024 in Mumbai.

    The Kolkata and Mumbai legs will start on 1 April and continue till 7 and 8 April respectively. The remaining four legs of the tournament will subsequently take place in Shillong, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Goa.

    Embed link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5JKoSkS7MM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA

  • Golf Foundation’s 15th fundraiser tournament concludes in Delhi

    Golf Foundation’s 15th fundraiser tournament concludes in Delhi

    Mumbai: The Golf Foundation (TGF) concluded its highly anticipated 15th Invitational Fundraiser Tournament at the Delhi Golf Club today, marking yet another successful event in its commitment to nurturing young golf talent from underprivileged backgrounds.

    The tournaments, held in support of TGF’s noble cause, witnessed an enthusiastic participation of golf enthusiasts who came together to contribute towards fostering promising golf talent across India.

    Distinguished guests graced the occasion, including the esteemed presence of  Kapil Dev, iconic former  1983 World Cup-winning Captain cricketer, Nandini Gupta, Miss India World 2023, Brijinder Singh, IGU president, and other noteworthy guests.

    Reflecting on the success of the event, Amit Luthra, Multiple-time National Golf Champion, Asian Games Gold Medallist, and Arjuna Awardee Golfer said, “I am truly thrilled to see the overwhelming support for our cause at this year’s Invitational Fundraiser Tournament. It’s heartening to witness the passion and commitment of everyone involved in supporting young golf talent from underprivileged backgrounds. With the help of sponsors, we managed to collect a whopping2.60 Cr”

    Talking about the event, Kapil Dev, Supporter, The Golf Foundation said, “Events like these showcase the power of sports in transforming lives and creating opportunities for the youth. The Golf Foundation’s dedication to supporting young golfers from underprivileged backgrounds is commendable, and I’m honoured to be a part of this noble initiative.”

  • TVS Racing to sponsor India’s F1 contender – Kush Maini

    TVS Racing to sponsor India’s F1 contender – Kush Maini

    Mumbai: TVS Motor Company (TVSM) – a leading global automaker that operates in the two and three-wheeler segments, today made a significant move signalling its commitment to the broader motorsports landscape. TVS Racing – India’s first factory racing team and the pioneer of the One Make Championship (OMC) in India, proudly announces its sponsorship deal with Kush Maini, the talented Formula 2 (F2) racer. Renowned for its dominance in two-wheeler motorsport, TVS Racing’s support for Kush Maini marks a pivotal step towards fostering motorsports excellence across diverse platforms by the company.

    TVS Racing has trained and given the opportunity to over 5,000 budding racers to sharpen and showcase their skills as part of their TVS OMC program that consists of four categories in India – Rookie, Women’s, Media, and Expert, and TVS Asia One Make Championship that made its foray in 2022 on International tracks. From nurturing talent to achieving international acclaim, the brand’s unwavering dedication to motorsports has been a cornerstone of its identity.

    Speaking on the collaboration, TVS Motor Company head business – premium Vimal Sumbly expressed, “TVS Racing has consistently strived to push boundaries and redefine standards in motorsports for over four decades now. It’s been instrumental in fostering motorsports in India, with a commitment to nurture talent globally. Our efforts with honing the talents of racers like Harith Noah, Aishwarya Pissay and more, on a global stage is testament to our commitment of democratising motorsports. And our decision to sponsor Kush Maini underscores the same commitment of nurturing talent and promoting the culture of racing in India, with a keen focus on celebrating international formats including the likes of F1 and F2. As a company deeply rooted in motorsports, we are thrilled to embark on this journey with Kush and extend our support in his endeavours.”

    Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, Kush Maini said, “It’s an honour to be supported by TVS, a company that’s very prestigious in India. It has been a driving force in pushing young talent from India to the world stage. It makes me proud to see the TVS colours on my car and suit in an elite championship like Formula 2. I am grateful for their support.”

    Kush Maini, hailing from Bengaluru, India, is an accomplished racing prodigy with an impressive track record. He currently races in FIA Formula 2, and is currently fifth in the championship standings after three rounds. He is also part of the Alpine Academy as a junior driver and Mahindra Racing as a reserve driver for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Kush is mentored by two time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen. Having demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout his career, Maini has earned accolades and admiration on both national and international circuits. His pursuit of excellence aligns seamlessly with TVS Racing’s ethos of relentless performance and continuous innovation.

    By sponsoring Kush Maini, TVS Racing aims to contribute to the growth and development of motorsports while showcasing the country’s talent on an international platform.

  • NBA 360 is available for free on the NBA app in India

    NBA 360 is available for free on the NBA app in India

    Mumbai: The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that NBA’s live whip-around show “NBA 360” will be available for free on the NBA App in India on Saturdays from March 30 through April 6 from 5 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. IST.

    NBA 360 provides a multi-view broadcast with continuous and simultaneous coverage, including live look-ins, in-progress highlights, up-to-date graphics, statistical leaders, standings, and player interviews, capturing all of the excitement and the best storylines from around the league.

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    On Saturday, 30 March, NBA 360 will allow NBA App users in India to watch all the action from across the slate of 12 NBA games in real-time.