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Category: Sports

  • Player draft for Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 with 275 contenders on 21 November

    Player draft for Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 with 275 contenders on 21 November

    Mumbai: The stakes are soaring high as the six Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) franchisees gear up for the season 2 player draft in Bhubaneswar on 21 November. The inaugural season ignited a sporting frenzy, thrusting it to claim the title of India’s third-largest non-cricketing league in audience outreach.

    Armed with Rs. 3.90 crore in the purse, the six franchisees will battle it out to secure a formidable lineup from the 275 players available in the pool. The draft promises a fierce battleground, with Maharashtra dominating the forefront with 18 players, that emerged triumphant in the recently concluded National Games held in Goa.

    Promoted by Amit Burman in partnership with the Kho Kho Federation of India, UKK remains steadfast in its mission to reimagine the growth of indigenous sport with greater dynamism and engagement.

    With minimum of 20 and a maximum of 35 players, each franchise will have 35 draft rounds to complete their team combinations for the second edition. While 18 players have been retained by the teams; the remaining players have been put under four categories, A, B, C and D. Category A players are priced at Rs. five lac, Category B will get Rs. three lac each and C and D are categorised at Rs. 1.5 lac and Rs. one lac respectively.  Franchisees will have the option to select players based on their respective draft sequence and purse capacity.

    In all, 293 players are in the pool have been divided into three segments. The 18 players retained by the franchisees fall in the ‘Power Players’ category. Players who were part of Season 1 but have not been retained are known as ‘Pole Players’. While the new set of players recommended either by the franchisees or the Kho Kho Federation of India will be called ‘Dream Players’.

    Defending champions Odisha Juggernauts have retained four players from the last season, while Chennai Quick Guns three, including Player of the Tournament Ramji Kashyap and Young Player of the Tournament Madan. Gujarat Giants showed faith in Defender of the Tournament Abhinandan Patil besides two others. Mumbai Khiladis retained two of the players Gajanan Shengal and Sreejesh S from the previous season. Meanwhile Rajasthan Warriors and Telugu Yoddhas have retained three players each.

    The thrilling action from Season 2 will be broadcast live on Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI)’s sports channels as well as livestream on Sony LIV.

  • BCCI reveals India vs Australia World Cup final details in Ahmedabad!

    BCCI reveals India vs Australia World Cup final details in Ahmedabad!

    Mumbai: BCCI has released a full list of events and celebrities that will grace the final between India and Australia in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on 19 November. Prime minister Narendra Modi’s presence during the final, a grand air show by the Indian Air Force, two former World Cup-winning captains Kapil Dev and Mahendra Singh Dhoni watching from the stands with a bevy of who’s who from the world of entertainment and politics in attendance, the grandeur will be unmatched.

    The Suryakiran Indian Air Force airshow will take place after the toss at 1:30 pm IST. It is likely to be a 15-20 minute show. The preparations for the same were done with a successful demo on Thursday. During the first innings drinks break Coke Studio’s Gujarati singing sensation Aditya Gadhavi of ‘Gotilo’ fame will perform.

    The event would get grander during the innings break. Bollywood music composer Pritam, singers Jonita Gandhi, Nakash Aziz, Akasa Joshi, Tushar Joshi and Amit Mishra will entertain a 1.3 lakh crowd. 500 dancers from Mumbai are expected to gyrate to popular Bollywood numbers.

    Possibly for the visiting Australian team and also for the greater TV audience across the globe, it would be a taste of India’s soft power with cricket being a tool.

  • Legends League Cricket expands global reach

    Legends League Cricket expands global reach

    Mumbai: Legends League Cricket continues its successful broadcast partnership with Star Sports Network owing to the massive response to the previous editions of the League. All matches of the upcoming season of Legends League Cricket will be broadcast across Star Sports, and Disney+ Hotstar starting from the 18 of November 2023 till the 9 of December 2023.

    “Legends League Cricket brings together the best national and international talent to the fans, and it was only right that we continue our association with the Star Sports Network and FanCode to showcase the Legends of the sport. This association will continue to give millions of cricket lovers in India the best viewing experience and bring them closer to the stars that they know and love.” said Legends League Cricket CEO Raman Raheja.

    The addition of newer international cricketers and Indian Legends this season will help increase the viewership both in India and abroad. The league’s broadcasting numbers speak for themselves with 388 per cent higher reach than other T20 Leagues on Sports TV (excluding IPL), being the second most watched and rated T20 League (source: BARC 15+ AB), and a whopping 280 million global viewership in just its previous season.  

    The second franchisee edition of Legends League Cricket is scheduled from November 18 to December 9 and will feature matches in five cities: Ranchi, Dehradun, Jammu, Vizag, and Surat. The tournament will kick off with a match between Bhilwara Kings, led by Irfan Pathan, and the defending champions, India Capitals, captained by Gautam Gambhir. Six teams, including India Capitals, Manipal Tigers, Gujarat Giants, Urbanrisers Hyderabad, Southern Super Stars, and Bhilwara Kings, will compete for the coveted trophy.

    Legends League Cricket will be broadcast in eight countries in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. The broadcasting partners for different countries are Star Sports in India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh along with Disney+ Hotstar, and ESPN+ will be available for viewers in South Africa and USA with an addition of Willow TV just for American viewers. Fox and Kayo Sports will cater to the Australian region, Etisalat in the Middle East, and BT Sports in the UK region. 

  • Disney-Star India’s ICC World Cup telecast sets new records

    Disney-Star India’s ICC World Cup telecast sets new records

    Mumbai: India’s main strike bowler Mohammed Shami was breathing fire as he charged in and bowled an unplayable delivery to New Zealand tailender Lockie Ferguson which the latter edged to KL Rahul behind the stumps. In the process, he set a record by capturing seven wickets for 57 runs, the most by any Indian bowler. And a roar went up in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium where the semi-final of the ICC One Day World Cup was being played out. The Indian cricket side led by Rohit Sharma had got through to the finals of the championship, which many a pundit had predicted it would, by bowling out a fighting New Zealand side for 327 runs against their total of 397 for four.

    Even as Shami was running amock on the field of play, executives at Disney Star India’s offices were also celebrating. Its streaming service Disney+Hotstar had a notched up a record by registering  53 million concurrent viewers at peak. A world record, it beat the earlier 44 million concurrent viewership record that Disney + Hotstar had set during the match between India and South Africa.  

    The peak concurrency for the India-New Zealand semi-final fluctuated between 50 million and 53 million as Bumrah scalped Glenn Phillis, Kuldeep outfoxed Mark Chapman, Mohammed Siraj snapped up Mitchell Santner, and Shami got the better of the centurion Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson to take India into the finals.

    Thankfully, for India’s leading broadcast and streaming network the match ran its course which more than allowed it to fulfill its obligations to its on-air advertising and sponsor partners. Some of the earlier fixtures that the very dominating Indian side had played had ended early and Disney Star India had then reportedly chosen to make good some of the air time to its advertiser partners.

    For Disney Star India, the ICC World Cup should prove a matchwinner in terms of revenues. With India now in the finals, which is to be held on 19 November in Ahmedabad, new viewership records are likely to be set. Programming around the finals and India’s chances on lifting the trophy is likely to be pumped up, advertising inventory created – which could sell at a premium. It’s quite possible that more advertisers could snap up FCT on the channel which again will sell at a premium.

    Speaking at an ICC conference Cricket Matters on 14 November in Mumbai’s St Regis Hotel, its sports head Sanjog Gupta was pleased as punch.

    “We have had 450 million viewers on TV in just the first 34 matches, of the ICC one Day World Cup” he said. “That’s more viewers than the top three entertainment channels combined on the sports event.  We had a peak concurrency of 80 million  on our TV channels  in the 12 languages we telecast and 44 million on our streaming service. We have generated a buoyancy in the festive season with advertising spending up 40 per cent. 45-50 new category advertisers have come on to the World Cup. We have had a 20 per cent growth in terms of time spent viewing by viewers over 2019. ”

    Not just Gupta, but even Disney Star country manager and president K Madhavan had a beaming wide smile on his face at the semi-final’s post-match presentation. Madhavan presented the man of the match award to Shami.

    The success of the ICC World Cup event should result in some soul searching in Burbank, the Walt Disney Co’s hq.  The company has been looking for a partner for its India business ever since CEO Bob Iger earlier this year expressed that the low ARPUs, weak advertising, heavy subscriber churn and skyrocketing sports rights costs were eroding the company’s bottom line. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has been reported to be among the front runners for the partnership.

    Iger apparently seemed to have softened his stance – compared to earlier in the year – during the mouse house’s fourth-quarter earnings call for FY2023 on 8 November 2023 when questioned about what he intended to do with the India business.

    “…in India, our linear business actually does quite well. Yes, it’s making money. But we know that other parts of that business are challenged for us and for others. And we are looking, I’ll call it, extensively,” Iger had responded.  “I know I’ve said this before, it always gets me in trouble. But we’re considering our options there. We have an opportunity to strengthen our hand. It is now maybe the most populous country in the world or maybe just still second to China and about to pass them. We’d like to stay in that market. But we’re also looking to see whether we can strengthen our hand obviously, improve the bottom line.”

    With the World Cup shaping up the way it has for Disney Star India in terms of viewership and new advertisers, some of that may hopefully end up showing up in the shape of a much better bottom line. And hopefully keep Iger and investors in a better frame of mind.

  • Star Sports flagship show ‘Cricket Live’ garners immense popularity amongst viewers of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

    Star Sports flagship show ‘Cricket Live’ garners immense popularity amongst viewers of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

    Mumbai: Cricket Live, the exclusive in-depth analysis show on Star Sports, has redefined storytelling during the ICC World Cup 2023, presenting compelling narratives of Indian and foreign players. From Bumrah’s much-anticipated return to Shami’s stellar performances, Virat’s pursuit of glory, and Rohit’s captaincy, the coverage resonated with fans worldwide. The stories extended beyond borders, highlighting Rachin’s journey, Pakistan’s cricketing odyssey, and exclusive confessions from Australian players about their rivals. Adding a personal touch, Cricket Live celebrated the birthdays of stars like Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli, fostering a deeper connection with fans. Not limiting the narrative to players, an anthem titled ‘Tum ho apne saath mein’ was curated for Team India, aiming to galvanize fans in unwavering support of the entire squad. The most watched Cricket show has collaborated with influencers and content creators from across the country to build the fandom for Team India. Fans have also been able to ask compelling questions to the StarCast and get featured on the broadcast via #AskStar.

    As per BARC, till Match 34 of the tournament, Cricket Live has captivated a staggering 273 million viewers, with an impressive watch time of 19 billion minutes, a growth of 6 per cent compared to the 2019 edition. Additionally, the show witnessed an uptick of 10 per cent in average time spent by viewers, compared to the 2019 edition. In the pre-show, the first half-hour has experienced the most significant surge, with consumption levels up by 27 per cent, and average time spent per viewer up by 18 per cent. The post-shows have also flourished, boasting an incredible 117 per cent higher consumption and an impressive 38 per cent higher reach compared to the previous edition. Cricket Live on regional feeds (Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada) has grown in consumption by 122 per cent (3.4 billion minutes), compared to the last edition and its viewership has increased by 46 per cent (62.2 Mn), compared to 2019.

    In its commitment to delivering an all-encompassing cricketing experience, Cricket Live on Star Sports has gone above and beyond with exclusive interviews featuring Team India heroes. A special content campaign, “We for Virat,” celebrated Kohli’s historic feats, offering a comprehensive glimpse into various facets of his life, personality, and illustrious career. The coverage extended to behind-the-scenes moments, backstories of players from the ICC World Cup 2023, and engaging debates pitting experts against each other on burning topics and contextual big stories of the day. Special segments like “What’s Trending,” “Unboxing,” “Wow Factor,” “Versus,” and “Cheeky Singles” capture all aspects of the World Cup, ensuring a diverse and engaging viewing experience.

    Cricket Live on Star Sports is also at the forefront of technological innovation. Utilizing a decibel meter for real-time crowd noise data, holographic teleportation to virtually transport commentators, and 3D-rendered graphics placing players next to iconic monuments like the Gateway of India, have made Cricket Live a visually dynamic experience. The usage of augmented reality (AR) graphics to display stats seamlessly on the pitch, and Quad replay technology to enhance the replay experience for a comprehensive view of key moments have made the cricket viewing and analysing experience more immersive for fans globally.

    With a remarkable line-up of former players who have graced the Cricket World Cup since its inception in 1975, the StarCast for Cricket Live served as a treasure trove of in-depth analysis, insights, and expertise. The iconic World Cup winners, including legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, K Srikanth, Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, and S Sreesanth, graced the panel, bringing their invaluable experience and championship wisdom to the audience. The panel further boasted multiple Former Indian chairmen of Selectors, such as MSK Prasad, Sandeep Patil, and Sunil Joshi, along with the esteemed former India batting coach, Sanjay Bangar.

    Adding to the international flavor were former cricket legends and World Cup winners Shane Watson, Aaron Finch, Matthew Hayden, Dale Steyn, Faf Du Plesis, Imran Tahir, Shane Bond, and Paul Collingwood. Their presence amplified the depth of analysis and championship-winning insights, creating a dynamic and insightful panel for Cricket Live viewers.

    In a celebration of India’s linguistic diversity and cricketing fervour, Star Sports provided an immersive experience for fans with exclusive broadcasts in various regional languages. The Tamil feed featured former World Cup winners K Srikanth and S Sreesanth, complemented by insights from players S Ramesh and Russel Arnold. The Telugu feed was enriched by former India Chief Selector MSK Prasad, seasoned campaigner, and former Indian women’s captain Mithali Raj, and experienced cricketer Venugopal Rao. The Kannada feed showcased the esteemed presence of former Indian legend Gundappa Viswanath and former India cricketers Vijay Bharadwaj, Vinay Kumar, and Sunil Joshi, alongside local cricketing talents. This diverse and talented roster ensured that Cricket Live not only entertained but also educated cricket enthusiasts with unparalleled insights and perspectives.

    Adding a touch of glamour and excitement, Cricket Live has welcomed a plethora of celebrities, including Bollywood Superstars Salman Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon and the entire cast of ‘The Archies’. South superstars like Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, Venkatesh Raghupathi, Ravi Teja and more also graced the regional shows. All these celebrities shared their love for Team India, adding a captivating dimension to the cricket-watching experience.

    As the World Cup enters its knockout stages, Star Sports is committed to redefine the boundaries of delivering a compelling viewing experience. Upcoming appearances from global pop sensation Dua Lipa, and Bollywood and South stars Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Naga Chaitanya promises an unforgettable spectacle for viewers and fans alike. Cricket Live’s coverage is set to expand with extended 2-hour pre-shows starting from 12 PM across five languages – English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada throughout the knockout stages.

    Cricket Live on Star Sports continues to be the ultimate destination for cricket enthusiasts, offering unparalleled insights, entertainment, and star-studded appearances, making it an integral part of the ICC World Cup 2023 experience. 

  • Vishwa Samudra Golden Eagles to host its seventh Annual Golf Championship in Mumbai

    Vishwa Samudra Golden Eagles to host its seventh Annual Golf Championship in Mumbai

    Mumbai: The Vishwa Samudra Golden Eagles Championships, one of the most awaited Golf Tournaments in India, will be held in Mumbai on the 18 November, 2023 at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Chembur.

    This Pro-Am format, began in 2015 as a vision of Vishwa Samudra Group chairman Chinta Sasidhar. The event very quickly grew to become the most sought-after corporate golf event in India. The event celebrates Golf, glamour and glory in all its form!

    The seventh edition will witness the participation of leading celebrities from across the world including Brian Lara, Sania Mirza, actress Prachie Tehlan, Indian Pro-Golfers Neha Tripathi & Ridhima Dhilawari and Swedish Pro-Golfer Camilla Lennarth.

    Former Indian Cricket Captain and star of the 1983 World Cup winning team, Kapil Dev will also be participating in this event along with other top amateur golfers from across the country. The seventh edition gets special with exciting prizes to be won across various categories, including a BMW 7 Series car for the Hole in 1 contest and other exciting prizes like Rolex Watches and Apple Products!

    With over 100 golfers playing this event in every city, it moves to Delhi and then Bangalore after Mumbai.

    The event over the years has witnessed some of the best corporate and pro golfers as a part of the event along with celebrities like Brian Lara, Sharmila Nicolette, Chitrangada Singh, Tamanna Bhatia, R Madhavan, Mandira Bedi, Tvesa Malik, Ridhima Dhilawari. It honours people who have brought glory to our country with the likes of Kapil Dev, the 1983 Indian Cricket team winning captain, Leander Paes – Tennis icon, multiple grand slam winner.

  • UEFA chooses Decathlon’s Kipsta for the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa conference league

    UEFA chooses Decathlon’s Kipsta for the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa conference league

    Mumbai: KIPSTA continues its rise in professional football. From the 2024-2025 season onwards and for a period of three years until the end of the 2026-2027 season), Decathlon will supply official match balls for the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League. From Portugal to Azerbaijan, from the Faroe Islands to Türkiye, all matches in these competitions will be played using Official Match balls designed and produced by Decathlon’s sub-label Kipsta.

    Kipsta, whose global headquarters are situated at the Kipstadium in Tourcoing, France, has been producing, for several years, official match balls that meet the highest technical requirements of the Ligue one Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT in France, as well as the Jupiler Pro League in Belgium.  

    Thanks to the thermo-bonding of its match ball panels (seamless ball), Kipsta official match balls offer superior sphericity and durability. It also provides a heightened playing sensation thanks to the textured microfiber foam component and debossing. Kipsta official match balls are characterised by their highly stable flight trajectory. Designed, tested and created in France, Kipsta official match balls are FIFA Quality Pro certified.

    Decathlon chief products and sports officer Fabien Brosse said: “UEFA’s decision recognises KIPSTA’s expertise and ability to offer a high-level technical product that meets the highest standards. It also reinforces the commitment of the KIPSTA teams to the practice of football, whether amateur or professional, throughout the world.”

    UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein said: “We are thrilled to announce KIPSTA as the official match ball supplier for the first time as we join forces with a brand that shares our passion for innovation, quality and the love of the game. KIPSTA’s experience in providing top-quality balls and commitment to the sport will be tremendous assets as the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League enter into new eras”

  • Óscar Mayo leaves LALIGA

    Óscar Mayo leaves LALIGA

    Mumbai: Óscar Mayo Pardo, until now chief executive officer of LALIGA, will leave the organisation in January 2024 to take on new professional challenges.

    Mayo, who held the position of CEO since 2021, made his decision after seven years working for LALIGA. He has been responsible for multiple successes at LALIGA such as the exponential growth of commercial revenues and the signing of key partnerships. One of these was the agreement with CVC, which has brought nearly 2 billion euros into the competition, and he also helped with establishing joint ventures in China, MENA and the United States.  

    In the words of LALIGA president Javier Tebas, “Óscar has performed excellently in every position he’s held at LALIGA and his work has contributed substantially to the major milestones achieved in recent years”.

    With the departure of Mayo, LALIGA, which has spent weeks preparing for this transition, will reorganise its management structure and appoint Jorge de la Vega, who was previously the deputy CEO.

    De la Vega, who joined LALIGA three years ago, has also served as Commercial and Marketing Director, achieving 130% growth in the areas under his management, as well as being responsible for accomplishments such as signing with title sponsor EA Sports .

    In addition to his experience with LALIGA, he spent more than 12 years in various management positions within the marketing department at Real Madrid C.F., giving him a global vision of the industry, which is essential for his new role.

    To further strengthen the management team, LALIGA appoints Juan Vicente Marín as deputy CEO. Marín, with over six years of experience at LALIGA, and until now held the position of CEO of LALIGA ENTERTEINMENT, where LALIGA is already preparing his replacement.

    Both Jorge de la Vega and Juan Vicente Marín will be part of LALIGA’s Executive Committee upon their appointments and between them they will occupy the positions held by Mayo in LALIGA’s subsidiary companies. Furthermore, Marta Alonso, Deputy Director of Corporate General Management, joins the Executive Committee, reinforcing both management divisions. 

  • RCB announces flagship sports conference in partnership with leaders in Sport

    RCB announces flagship sports conference in partnership with leaders in Sport

    Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with its innovation arm—RCB Innovation Lab, has partnered with Leaders in Sport, the premier global sports events and media organisation, to bring the first-ever Leaders Meet to India, scheduled in Bengaluru on 29 and 30 November.

    RCB Innovation Lab is a groundbreaking intersection between sports and business, that aims to generate insights, ideas, methodologies, and products in order to shape the future of sports. Leaders Meet: India aligns seamlessly with RCB Innovation Lab’s mission to further grow sports ecosystem.

    The first-of-its-kind summit is set to host a stellar line-up of global sporting leaders who will collectively delve into the convergence of sports, business, technology, and social impact. They will address critical themes and share insights on multi-faceted topics that are not only shaping the sports industry but are also poised to drive the expansion of India’s future sports market.

    The event will mark a historic occasion and witness insightful discussions in the presence of prominent figures from the sports world such as BCCI honorary secretary Jay Shah, Will Brass (chief commercial officer of the English Premier League), Ellie Norman (chief communications officer of Manchester United), and Charlotte Burr (director of strategy, corporate development & digital, FIFA). Notably, the summit will also feature the Indian badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, Brendon McCullum (former New Zealand skipper and current head coach of England’s Test team), and Olympic Gold Medal winner and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, Italian International Football icon & World Cup winner 2006 Alessandro Del Piero, G20 Sherpa – India & Ex – CEO of Niti Aayog, Government of India Amitabh Kant among many other notable dignitaries.

    Commenting on RCB Innovation Lab bringing leaders meet to India for the first time, Royal Challengers Bangalore vice president & head Rajesh V Menon said, “Growth requires a catalyst; we want to create the perfect conditions for sport and business to thrive – sowing seeds of change through new connections, relationships, opportunities, ideas, and perspectives. We want to make it happen faster by creating optimal conditions – bringing together the very best in the sports industry, both on and off the field. We want to accelerate the process by connecting members of the business & sporting community to the best conversations, the best connections, the best insights, the best solutions, and the best opportunities. I am confident that this confluence of industry stalwarts will help bring out valuable insights and build & engage stakeholders contributing to India in the journey of creating more participants in sports than just spectators”.”

    Leaders in Sport has been in existence for 15 years and has served as a catalyst for bringing together the most prominent figures and groundbreaking ideas in the world of sports. With past editions hosted in key cities like New York, Abu Dhabi, London, Los Angeles, Beijing, and Shanghai, Leaders in Sport has been instrumental in facilitating dialogues and propelling the sports industry towards progress. It continues to lead the way in providing the latest sports business intelligence and delivering exclusive perspectives from global industry leaders at the forefront.

    Sport managing director and leader Laura McQueen said “We stand on the verge of an exciting new chapter in the world of sports. Leaders Meet is not just an event; it’s a convergence of some of the world’s most influential leaders and a platform to usher in a new era for the sports industry in India and Southeast Asia. At the summit, we will witness catalytic discussions, innovative ideas, and a global perspective on how to shape the future of sports.

    We are thrilled to partner with RCB to host this event in India for the first time, and it serves as a testament to our shared vision of unlocking India’s potential as a thriving hub for sports and all verticals in sports, related to business, technology, and social impact. The summit promises to bridge the gap between opportunity and execution, propelling India to the forefront of the global sports landscape.”

    Leaders Meet: India will also see the participation of distinguished government administrators including Amitabh Kant, who served as the G20 Sherpa and previously held the role of CEO at Niti Aayog, and R Vineel Krishna, an IAS officer and Special Secretary to Odisha CM & Secretary of Sports and Youth Services in the Odisha Government. These esteemed individuals will engage in discussions and brainstorming sessions covering innovations in sports technology, business, performance, and social impact during the two-day conference.

    Below is the detailed list of speakers with their theme of the talk:

    1.   Jay Shah: Honorary secretary, BCCI; president, ACC; Chair F&CA Committee, ICC

    Topic: How the BCCI built the IPL, launched the WPL and what it tells us about the future of cricket and the trajectory of Indian sport

    2.   Amitabh Kant: G20 Sherpa – India & ex-CEO of Niti Aayog, Government of India

    Topic: The Indian growth story, the socio-economic opportunities, and the role for sport

    3.   Alessandro Del Piero: Italian International Football icon & World Cup winner 2006

    Excerpts of one of the most picture-perfect careers, multiple series A league titles, World Cup winner, champions league winner. Reflections of an iconic career and the current changing landscape of football and with emerging markets what is the future trend of football, will Europe still be the premier club football destination in the near future.

    4.   Dr. R. Vineel Krishna, IAS: Special Secretary to Odisha CM & Secretary – Sports and Youth Services, Odisha Government
    Topic: How states can drive sports promotion and development – the Odisha model and the future of public-private partnerships

    5.   Brendon McCullum: Head Coach, England Test Cricket Team
    Topic: Leading transformative change in team environments – what’s gone into Bazball?

    6.   Neeraj Chopra: Indian Olympic Gold Medallist and World Champion – Javelin
    Topic: The journey, reflections and path ahead to create more world champions in India.

    7.   Abhinav Bindra: Indian Olympic Gold Medallist and 5-time Olympian, Shooting
    Topic: The future of the Olympic movement and Olympism in India

    8.   Pullela Gopichand: All England Badminton Champion and iconic badminton coach
    Topic: From also-rans to Champions – reflections on the growth of India as a badminton powerhouse.

    9.   Charlotte Burr: Director of Strategy, Corporate Development & Digital, FIFA
    Topic: The importance of India to football and the importance of football to India

    10.   Will Brass: Chief Commercial Officer, Premier League
    Topic: An insider’s account of the business affairs of the #1 football league in the world and its plans in a high-growth market like India.

    11.   Ellie Norman: Chief Marketing Officer, Manchester United
    Topic: Managing a global fan base and an iconic brand through the ups and downs of sport through strategic marketing, partnerships, content and fan engagement

    12.   Scott Munn: Chief Football Officer, Tottenham Hotspur
    Topic: How to harness and internationalise the power of a legacy fan base in the Indian subcontinent.

    13.   Mohammad Bobat: Director of Cricket Operations, RCB. Ex-Performance Director: England Men’s Cricket team.
    Topic: Managing high-performance environments and translating potential to winning performances in a team filled with star players.

    14.   Harsh Jain: Co-Founder and CEO, Dream Sports
    Topic: Helming the largest fantasy sports platform in the world and reflections on engaging 200m+ users.

    15.   Nic Coward: World Renowned Sports Advisor and Ex-Gen. Secretary of the Premier League, Ex-CEO of FA, Ex-Consultant FIFA
    Topic: From market entry to consolidation – how foreign brands and investors can look at opportunities in the Indian sports market

    16.   Max Hamilton: Global Commercial Director, European Tour, Golf. 
    Topic: The journey of building and curating a premium brand identity for a sport and its properties.

    17.   Rufus Hack: CEO, Hawk-Eye Innovations
    Topic: How technology builds trust in sports adjudication

    18.   Shikha Tandon: Former Indian Olympic Swimmer and chief partnerships officer, Svexa
    Topic: How human performance intelligence, physiology, health data science, tech & molecular profiling translate into practical peak sports performance.

    19.   Gareth Balch: Co-Founder and CEO, Two Circles
    Topic: Trajectories and trends in the global sports rights market – from acquisition to measurement

    20.   Anil Jayaraj: CEO, Viacom 18 Sports. 
    Topic: Delivering one of the largest sports leagues in the world from rights acquisition planning to advertising to operational execution to broadcast/innovations.

    21.   Abhijit Bhattacharya: Founder, Brahmaputra Volleyball League, former captain of the Indian volleyball team
    Topic: Learnings from building a community sports league

    22.   Nitish Chiniwar: Founder and CEO, Bridges of Sports Foundation
    Topic: Making the community a stakeholder in the sporting journeys of athletes

    23.   Rohini Mukherjee, Head – Global Partnerships & Strategy, Naandi Foundation
    Topic: Empowering India’s adolescent girls through sport – The Toofan Games.

  • Ranbir Kapoor’s cinematic roar echoes in support of Team India on Cricket Live

    Ranbir Kapoor’s cinematic roar echoes in support of Team India on Cricket Live

    Mumbai: In an exciting convergence of Bollywood glamour and high-stakes cricket, the charismatic Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor is set to make a dazzling appearance on the Star Sports “Cricket Live” pre-show. The much-anticipated event will see Kapoor promoting his eagerly awaited pan-India movie “Animal” while extending his support to Team India during their blockbuster semi-final clash against New Zealand.

    This electrifying collaboration adds a touch of cinematic excitement to the cricketing arena as fans gear up for a nail-biting rematch from the 2019 World Cup semi-final, where New Zealand emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter. With Team India seeking redemption from their previous defeat, the stakes are higher than ever, promising an unforgettable blend of cinematic charisma and cricketing fervour on the cricket live stage. Get ready for an afternoon filled with the magic of both the silver screen and the cricket field!

     

     

    The highly anticipated movie “Animal” not only stars Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor but also boasts the powerhouse performances of veteran actors Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol in pivotal titular roles. Actress Rashmika Mandanna is also a part of the ensemble as Ranbir Kapoor’s love interest, marking their first-time pairing in films. Promising to be a gripping action-drama, “Animal” is set to enthral audiences with its compelling storyline and powerhouse performances. The anticipation builds as the film gears up for a worldwide release on December 1st, spanning Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam languages. As the cricketing and cinematic worlds collide on the Cricket Live pre-show, fans can look forward to a mesmerizing blend of cricket, charisma, and the upcoming blockbuster.

    Catch all the action from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Semi-Final 1–India vs New Zealand, 15 November 2023, from 12:00 pm onwards, LIVE & exclusive on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar.