Category: Sports

Mumbai: Disney Star, the official television broadcaster of TATA IPL 2023, has etched its name in history by delivering the biggest IPL ever on television, making it the first cricket tournament to register over half a billion viewers. According to BARC, an astounding 505 million viewers tuned in to Disney Star’s live broadcast of the matches. Disney Star has accumulated a staggering 427.1 billion minutes of watch time for the live broadcast of the matches, underscoring the immense popularity of the tournament among passionate fans. Furthermore, the broadcaster has witnessed a remarkable growth of 32% in match TVR* compared to the last edition.

The finals between GT and CSK registered a peak concurrency of 64.1 million- the highest for IPL 2023. Additionally, 47 out of 74 matches registered peak concurrency of more than 30 million. The Hindi Speaking Markets continued to break records with 334 million fans watching the tournament, a growth of 47 per cent compared to the last edition. Viewership among kids also increased by 64 per cent compared to the last edition, emphasizing that IPL is most enjoyed together on the big screen. The broadcaster has reached new heights in high-definition (HD) broadcasting, with an incredible 101 million viewers tuning in to the HD broadcast. This number is three times higher compared to last year, demonstrating the growing preference for high-definition sports viewing.

Disney Star head – sports Sanjog Gupta said, “We are thankful for the overwhelming support of our fans, who joined us in our journey to make Tata IPL 2023 the most-watched Cricketing event in India’s broadcast history. From last ball nail-biters to high-scoring thrillers, from the addition of the impact player rule to the emergence of future stars, from the last spot on the playoffs being decided in the last league stage match to the tournament winner being decided on the final ball, this edition of IPL has been special in many ways. Countless memories will be etched in cricket history including the fact that is the first time that half a billion viewers tuned in for a Cricket tournament.”

“We would also like to express our sincere appreciation for the BCCI, the players, and the franchisees for putting on such a spectacle. We believe our #BetterTogether campaign and world-class coverage of the event bolstered the efforts of the entire ecosystem. As we celebrate this historic IPL season, we are energized to continue pushing the boundaries and delivering exceptional cricket experiences across linear and digital screens to fans across the country,” he added.

Disney Star’s monumental achievement in broadcasting the TATA IPL 2023 has been a massive success, cementing its place in the annals of sports television history. The pre-tournament build-up programming created history by attracting a record-breaking 205.6 million viewers, setting the stage for an unforgettable season. The broadcaster’s efforts to engage and captivate viewers by providing best-in-class content and surround programming have yielded exceptional results. The overwhelming response from viewers across demographics showcases the success of TATA IPL 2023 and highlights the broadcaster’s commitment to delivering high-quality content that resonates with audiences.

Mumbai: Padel, the dynamic and fast-growing sport, receives a momentous boost as the Indian Padel Federation (IPF) announces a strategic partnership with badminton legend Pullela Gopichand that is set to propel the sport to unprecedented heights in the country. Gopichand, a Padma Bhushan, Dronacharya, and Arjuna awardee, joins the IPF as an advisor, bringing his enormous wealth of expertise and experience, having made an indelible mark in producing a host of world-class shuttlers. 

Padel has proven to be an addictive sport and lucrative business investment across the world and this is what caught the attention of Supriya Devgun, former bronze medallist at the 2017 BWF World Senior Badminton Championship, and founder & managing director, Badminton Gurukul, who has joined the Indian Padel Federation as a key board member. 

Speaking about his partnership with the Indian Padel Federation, Pullela Gopichand said, “I am thrilled to join the Indian Padel Federation as an advisor and contribute to the growth and development of Padel in India. Padel is an exciting sport with tremendous potential, and I am committed to utilising experience to elevate it to new heights. Through this partnership, we aim to create a vibrant ecosystem, nurture talent, and inspire a new generation of Padel players. Together with the IPF, we will work towards establishing Padel as a mainstream sport, while fostering a culture of excellence in the Indian Padel community.”

Speaking about her association with the Indian Padel Federation, Supriya Devgun said, “Being a sports person, sports entrepreneur, and administrator, vision and motivation for me has always been to spread physical literacy in the country. Padel, being a new sport, gives a level playing field to all, and is easier to learn and compete, compared to a lot of other sports. And hence, the motivation for me to be associated with the Indian Padel Federation is to see more people in the country playing sport!” 

Indian Padel Federation president Sneha Abraham Sehgal said, “From being chosen by the European Olympic Committees as an independent discipline, to the Qatar Sports Investment bankrolling Premier Padel,  Padel is taking the world by storm. At this juncture, we are excited and honoured to have Pullela Gopichand join Indian Padel Federation as the strategic advisor. Supriya Devgun will join the Indian Padel Federation as a key Board member. The cumulative experience of Gopichand and Supriya gives us the confidence to move ahead strategically so that Padel becomes the most preferred racquet sport in the years to come.”

Since its establishment in 2018, the IPF has been diligently laying the foundation through the successful rollouts of national ranking tournaments and friendly matches, fostering a sense of camaraderie among Padel enthusiasts. As a founding member of the APAC Padel association, the IPF has been instrumental in promoting regional growth and collaboration within the Padel community.

Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the IPF upholds core values of integrity, quality, and discipline. Through effective governance, certifications, coaching programs, and ranking structures, the IPF believes the sport’s future in the country holds immense potential, propelled by factors such as the burgeoning urban population, increased spending capacity, growing interest from foreign businesses and brands, inclusivity that allows diverse demographics to enjoy the sport together.

Mumbai: Emerging victorious in the coveted Indian qualifiers, S8UL, the country’s premier Esports organisation, delivered remarkable performances against renowned Esports outfits and secured their coveted spot in the global finals of the Pokemon UNITE World Championships 2023.

Led by skipper Manmohan Singh (S8UL AllMight), alongside Deep Patel (S8UL • Snowyy), Rudra Narayan Nayak (S8UL • Rex), Adnan Badshah (S8UL.Badshah), and Rahul Lavhate (S8UL • Kyurem), the team exhibited dominant gameplay throughout the tournament, ultimately claiming the prize money of $15,000.

Now poised to compete on the grand stage, S8UL will face off against the world’s most formidable teams at the Pokemon UNITE World Championships, slated to take place in Yokohama, Japan. This highly anticipated tournament boasts an impressive prize pool of $500,000.

“We take immense pride in S8UL’s exceptional performance during the India qualifiers, showcasing their resilience by bouncing back from an initial defeat and emerging victorious in all subsequent games. This accomplishment truly embodies our vision of attaining excellence in the title, as the Indian Esports community witnesses substantial growth within the Pokemon UNITE realm. Each team member deserves recognition for their unwavering dedication to mastering the game. We eagerly await the global finals where S8UL will face off against the world’s best,” expressed 8bit Creatives and S8ul Esports founder and CEO Animesh Agarwal aka 8bit Thug.

S8UL’s journey to victory is a testament to their unparalleled teamwork, supreme ability, and unwavering spirit. The five-man roster showcased their dominance by defeating Gods Reign in the semifinals with a close score of 2-1. They continued their remarkable run, triumphing over FS Esports in the grand final with a commanding 2-0 victory.

Commenting on the team’s achievement, team captain Manmohan Singh, also known as S8UL AllMight, expressed his honor in representing India at the World Championships and showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of their team on the global stage. Through tireless analysis of tactics, formulation of new strategies, and pushing the boundaries of their gameplay, they capitalised on the opportunity to dominate the best teams from India. 

“S8UL carries the hopes of the nation on its shoulders and strives to make the gaming community proud. Japan, here we come!” stated Manmohan Singh.

The Pokemon UNITE World Championship 2023 will feature a total of 32 teams from around the world, with the winning team securing $100,000 in prize money.

S8UL is determined to bring its A-game to the grand stage and become the first Indian team to win this prestigious tournament.

Mumbai: – adidas, the official kit sponsor of the Indian cricket team, has unveiled the new national team jerseys to be worn across all three formats of the game. The new kit will be debuted by the India Men’s team during the upcoming World Test Championship Final and then worn by the Men, Women & Youth teams across upcoming ODI, T20 & Test fixtures.

adidas confirmed their partnership with the BCCI, marking a new era in Indian cricket. With the exclusive rights for designing and manufacturing jerseys, kits, and other merchandise for Indian Men’s, Women’s, and U-19 teams, the new partnership gives adidas the opportunity to bring their innovative designs and expertise to cricket on the biggest stage.

The Indian jersey showcases the rich heritage and craftsmanship of India. The new ODI jersey represents the raw power, fierce beauty, and undeniable strength of India’s national animal – the tiger. The intricate design adorning the fabric is weaved using the traditional ikat pattern, bringing to life the tiger’s stripes and capturing the aura of Indian cricket.

For the first time, the authentic T20, Test & ODI jerseys to be worn by the Indian Cricket Team have been made with 100 per cent recycled materials. It also features adidas’ HEAT.RDY – an innovative lightweight fabric that maximizes airflow to keep the players cool while performing.

To bring to life the new designs adidas have launched a 360-marketing campaign across digital, social, print and OOH platforms. Created by India’s newest indie agency – Fundamental- the campaign features a short film starring Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Smriti Mandhana, Renuka Singh Thakur alongside passionate fans all attempting to answer a seemingly simple question – “What does the Indian cricket team jersey mean to you?”. Shot across the country, the film depicts the unwavering love and unmatched pride for the jersey that every fan and player feel. The film will be complemented by a range of striking portrait photography that showcases the top national players proudly revealing the new jerseys.

Commenting on the partnership and the iconic team India jerseys, adidas India GM Neelendra Singh said, “Our partnership with the BCCI is testament to our strong core belief underpinning ‘Impossible Is Nothing’ We are proud to present the new Indian cricket team jerseys and look forward to seeing our players create iconic moments in the 3 stripes. Through our partnership with the BCCI, we look forward to providing access and the opportunity to all cricket fans to proudly don the colours of their beloved team. Our aim is to redefine the landscape of jersey culture in India.”

adidas India senior director Sunil Gupta celebrated this moment and shared, “At adidas, we are committed to providing our athletes with the most innovative & best-in-class products to help them perform at the highest level. The campaign is based on a simple insight that while it’s hard to describe your feelings for the team India jersey, when you wear it as a player or a fan, you feel just one thing, Impossible Is Nothing!”

The jerseys will be available at three price points: Rs 4999- match jersey, Rs 2999- replica jersey and Rs 999- fan jersey. Through these multiple price points, adidas aims to revolutionise the jersey culture in India by making them affordable and accessible to every cricket fan in the country, as they cheer for the team they love.

Mumbai: FanCode, India’s premier sports destination, has secured the exclusive digital rights to livestream the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) starting June 12. The league will go on till 12 July 12 and feature a number of star players.

Cricket fans can view the action on FanCode’s mobile app (Android, iOS), TV app available on Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Jio STB, Samsung TV, and fancode.com, with commentary available in both English and Tamil. 

Launched in 2016, the annual league comprises eight teams representing eight districts of Tamil Nadu, namely Chepauk Super Gillies, Dindigul Dragons, Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans, Lyca Kovai Kings, Nellai Royal Kings, Ruby Trichy Warriors, Salem Spartans, and Siechem Madurai Panthers. 

Some of the marquee players expected to be in action include Ravichandran Ashwin, Sai Sudharshan, Shahrukh Khan, Varun Chakaravarthy amongst others.

Talking about the partnership, TNCA secretary RI Palani said, “FanCode has emerged as an industry leader when it comes to streaming live sports and we’re delighted to be partnering with them for the TNPL. The League is widely followed across the country and FanCode’s user-first approach will help in further strengthening our viewership.”

FanCode co-founder Yannick Colaco said, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with TNPL, one of  India’s biggest domestic T20 Leagues. Some of the biggest names of the game will be in action in the league and this partnership is in line with our goal of providing access to the best of LIVE sports to our users across the country.“

With interactive digital-first features such as live stats, data, and analysis on the match screen, FanCode offers sports fans an immersive experience. FanCode is also offering tour passes at affordable prices for fans apart from monthly and yearly subscriptions. 

Mumbai: The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) partnership with the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) has deepened ties between Saudi and India, helping to harness the extraordinary potential of sport and tourism to bring people together and enrich lives.

Saudi is set to welcome two million visitors from India this year and India is expected to become its largest tourism source market by 2030.

Saudi support for India’s sports sector is a strong example of market collaboration delivering results.

Cricket is the most popular sport in India and the IPL has an immense global audience, third to only the English Premier League and the National Football League.

STA is tapping into this fanbase to boost awareness of Saudi as an exciting new year-round destination for Indian travelers, especially young people. The strategic partnership is broadening how India and Saudi are engaging with similarly overwhelmingly young demographics – with more than half of both populations below the age of 30.

Alongside the IPL partnership, Saudi is easing access for millions of visitors across India, inspiring Indian travelers to explore the authentic home of Arabia. Saudi has opened nine VFS Tasheel offices in different locations across India such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore providing practical support to Indian travelers interested in a trip to Saudi.

Indian visitors are eligible for the new stopover visa, introduced earlier this year, which will allow passengers traveling to a final destination on SAUDIA or Flynas to visit Saudi for up to 96 hours, which includes a complimentary hotel night for Saudia passengers.

These developments follow the rapid advancements in air connectivity between India and the kingdom with seven direct carriers in operation – SAUDIA, Flynas, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo Airlines, Spice Jet and Vistara and the recently launched route between Jeddah and Ahmedabad by Indigo airlines which increases the accessibility between the two countries. The expansion is part of Saudi’s air connectivity program and will turn Riyadh into a global hub that will be able to accommodate 120 million passengers in the next seven years.  

Saudi Tourism Authority APAC president Alhasan Aldabbagh said, “Partnerships like the IPL are a key pillar of Saudi’s tourism strategy as they bring fans, athletes, and nations together while sparking curiosity from those that may want to be among the first to visit Saudi as a destination.”

Saudi has a fast-growing love for cricket. In 2020, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) was set up, managing 16 regional associations in 11 cities, over 8,000 registered players, and over 400 registered clubs, with a total participation of 35,000 in domestic cricket tournaments and championships. The Saudi cricket national team is presently ranked 32 out of 108 nations in cricket.

The collaboration will not only strengthen Saudi’s commitment to India as an important market but seeks to broaden Saudi’s association with cricket – with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan aiming to increase community participation in sports from 13 per cent to 40 per cent by 2030.

The country is home to six UNESCO World Heritage sites like nowhere else in the world. The ancient city of AlUla is the world’s largest living museum, holding 200,000 years of largely unexplored human history with vast canyons, rock-cut tombs and stunning landscapes, along with world-class restaurants and trailblazing luxury resorts.

Saudi’s diverse landscape can be enjoyed year-round, from the cool, green highlands of Asir where the locals holiday in the summer to the pristine waters of Saudi’s 1,700km long Red Sea coast where you can swim amongst rare fish and the world’s fourth-largest coral reef.

Mumbai: It’s time for all the poker enthusiasts to #JoinThePokerEvolution as Spartan Poker, the destination to India’s largest poker tournaments, arrives with the 15 edition of the India Online Poker Championship (IOPC) on 1 June 2023 with a colossal 47 CRORE Guaranteed prize pool, the largest in the history of Indian poker circuit. This edition of IOPC will be hosted on Spartan Poker, BlitzPoker, PokerHigh, PokerDaddy, and Myteam11.

Celebrating the momentous event, Spartan Poker has rolled out its brand new campaign #JoinThePokerEvolution by roping in the famed Rocket Boys character who played the Father of ISRO to take Poker into Space and uncover the reel version behind the discovery of gravity.

#Jashn-e-poker, the theme for this year’s flagship mega event, is a call out to all poker pros and enthusiasts to come and be a part of the 15 edition celebrations with a special theme – Toh Aao India, Saath Milkar Manayein – JASHN-E-POKER. With the highest-ever prize pool of rS 47 Crore GTD, the 15th edition promises to be a Poker Carnival to remember.

The 18-day carnival, which will conclude on June 18, is packed with 142 remarkable tournaments and the participants stand a chance to win the prestigious ‘Golden Crown’ made of 18-carat gold and 0.6-carat diamonds. This edition of IOPC will also see the biggest-ever leaderboard in the history of Indian Poker, with a massive Rs 1.5 Crore GTD up for grabs.

IOPC gives players an opportunity to showcase their skills across all stakes – Low, Mid & High – with buy-ins starting at as low as Rs 110.

What began as an online dimension to Spartan Poker’s offline flagship event India Poker Championship (IPC), today IOPC is the country’s most premier poker series that takes place bi-annually. From its first edition in 2015 with Rs 7 lakhs GTD, IOPC has had enormous growth in the last 15 editions to scale the Poker series to a mammoth 47 Cr GTD.

Over the years, the event has grown considerably with 5,600+ participants (87,000 entries) taking part in the recently concluded 14th edition (Jan 2023), which had a then-highest Rs 43 crore prize pool. The 15th edition raises the bar with the participation expected to soar even more.

To mark the grandness of the occasion, India’s most trusted and premium poker platform, Spartan Poker has rolled out its new campaign to encourage people to #JoinThePokerEvolution & #EvolveWithSpartanPoker.

In a quirky take, the current brand film takes forward the fictional concept established in the previous films about how Poker helped in the evolution of various momentous aspects through the course of human history. Be it the Evolution of Humanity via the discovery of fire, the Evolution of cricket from 50- 50 to 20-20 format, or the Evolution of Technology with AI, Spartan Poker’s original creativity continues to evolve.

The new brand film takes the popular folklore of how Newton discovered gravity and gives a poker twist to it! Contrary to the popular belief that the fall of an apple planted the Idea of Gravity into Newton’s mind, it was indeed a eureka moment when the cards fell down from his hand while playing a game of poker with his friends! And that’s how Poker helped in the evolution of humans via the discovery of gravity which then culminated in space exploration.

To endorse this idea, they have roped in Ishwak Singh, who recently played the character of Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space Program, in the famed show Rocket Boys to much critical acclaim.

Mumbai: Disney Star, the official TV broadcaster of Tata IPL, has announced an achievement as it delivers the grandest playoffs in the history of the Tata IPL, accompanied by unprecedented viewership and ratings. The IPL 2023 playoffs have shattered all records, achieving an astounding 44 per cent increase in ratings compared to the previous year, surpassing the previous highest-rated playoffs recorded in IPL 2020. This extraordinary accomplishment demonstrates the unwavering support and enthusiasm of cricket fans nationwide, cementing the broadcaster’s position as the premier sports broadcaster in India.

Among the thrilling encounters that unfolded during the playoffs, the match between the Gujarat Titans and the Mumbai Indians (Qualifier 2) left an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape. This clash witnessed an unprecedented Peak TV Concurrency of 6.1 Crore, captivating fans across the nation. Not only did this match command immense attention, but it also soared to new heights, becoming the highest-rated playoffs match ever. The intense battle on the field and the players’ stellar performances kept viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the match.

The unparalleled success of the IPL 2023 playoffs is further accentuated by the colossal TV viewership numbers. The live broadcast of the IPL 2023 amassed a staggering 49.6 Crore viewers and 40902 crore minutes of consumption until the finals, reaching unprecedented heights and setting a record for any IPL season. 

Disney Star head of sports Sanjog Gupta said, “The unparalleled viewing experience on Star Sports combined with the phenomenal quality of Cricket played during IPL 2023 has delivered unprecedented viewership on TV.  The broadcast of TATA IPL 2023 was built on three strategic pillars – ‘Big,’ ‘Community,’ and ‘TV Redefined,’ driven by our overarching purpose of serving fans. ‘Big’ involved elevating the scale of the event in terms of its competition, teams, rivalries & heroes; ‘Community’ was about targeting key audience cohorts and driving the habit of community viewing through the #BetterTogether campaign; ‘TV Redefined’ meant offering fans a richer, more immersive, and customized viewing experience. We are overjoyed that friends, families & communities have come together to enjoy IPL on Disney Star and want to thank all fans for their overwhelming support.  We would also like to express gratitude towards players, teams & the BCCI for putting up such a riveting spectacle.”

Disney Star’s resounding success in delivering the biggest playoffs in IPL history and achieving record-breaking ratings reaffirms its commitment to providing sports enthusiasts with an unparalleled viewing experience. Through cutting-edge technology, comprehensive coverage, and insightful commentary, the broadcaster has redefined the way India experiences cricket on TV.

Source: BARC 

*Figures are for M15+ including OOH

** Figures are for 2+ U+R including OOH

Mumbai: With a mere few days to go before the newest league of India kicks off, Premier Handball League has launched its promo campaign – “It’s a Different Ball Game” which is going LIVE across the Viacom 18 Network – Sports 18-1 (HD & SD) and Sports 18 Khel and JioCinema.

The promo campaign embodies the spirit of India which is a land of various sports starting from Cricket which captures the largest share but at the same time, the country has grown to make space for various other disciplines like Kabaddi, Football, Volleyball and many other sports. Handball has a long history in India and has been in the shadows. Now, with Premier Handball League, the world’s fastest Olympic sport is going to get its due in India enthralling the Indian audience with high-octane action.   

The promo film depicts a conglomeration of sports that are being played in India and handball players taking over all the fields and leading people from various spheres of life to the Handball stadium to experience the new and exciting Premier Handball League.

Speaking about the launch of the campaign, Bluesport Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. president Abhinav Banthia said, “We all know that Handball has existed in the country for a long time and the sole objective of the campaign was to showcase how India is going to awaken and accept a sport that they haven’t seen on their screens and stadium before. We have seen many hero stories coming from a number of new sports leagues that have emerged. Premier Handball League is the very launchpad which was needed for the players to not only showcase their skills to India but at a global level. On 8 June, India will be treated to a truly ‘Different Ball Game’.”  

The background score of the film has been composed by Shikhar Naad Qureshi, the son and disciple of the legendary music composer and percussionist Taufiq Qureshi. Qureshi performs his trademark voice and breath percussions and truly brings a flavour of excitement to the whole campaign while keeping the spiel of both urban and rural to it.

“When I was approached to score the vocal percussion for the film, I was completely intrigued by the concept. I was surprised, how the sport is really popular in rural India and has a rich history, but yet hasn’t found its day in the sun at a national level.  I, along with Shikhar Naad, designed the music keeping rural India’s calling for the sport, and the backgrounds from where most players emerge, also, connecting it with the kind of contemporary audiences the league wants to appeal to. I am hopeful that the campaign really does wonders in drawing viewers for the league,” said Qureshi

The Premier Handball League (PHL), is sanctioned by the South Asian Handball Federation and affiliated with the Asian Handball Federation (AHF). The league which will feature six teams – Delhi Panzers, Rajasthan Patriots, Garvit Gujarat, Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra Ironmen and Telugu Talons is scheduled to start on 8 June 2023, and will go on till 25 June 2023, at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur crowning the first Premier Handball League Champion.

Mumbai: Piro Space Metaverse, a pioneering virtual reality platform, is set to transform the way fans experience sports with an unprecedented offering. As part of its groundbreaking initiative, Piro Space Metaverse will host the live stream of the highly anticipated TATA IPL final, with pre-match sessions, live scorecard, and live commentary.

With the aim of providing fans with an all-encompassing experience, Piro Space Metaverse introduces an array of features to enhance their engagement. Prior to the match, pre-match sessions featuring renowned sports personalities and experts will offer valuable insights, analysis, and predictions, heightening the anticipation and excitement for the main event.

During the match, fans will have access to live scorecards, ensuring they stay up-to-date with every run, wicket, and milestone achieved by their favorite teams. Additionally, a team of expert commentators will provide real-time commentary, adding a layer of immersion and expertise to the viewing experience.

“We are thrilled to present this unprecedented live-streaming experience to fans around the world,” said Piro Space co-founder Kapil Jain. “By incorporating pre-match sessions, live scorecards, and live commentary, we are providing fans with an immersive and interactive platform that redefines how they engage with sports.”

Piro Space Metaverse invites fans to immerse themselves in a dynamic virtual environment where they can not only watch the match but also interact with friends, family, and fellow enthusiasts. Through features like chat functions and social networking capabilities, fans can share their thoughts, emotions, and banter in real-time, creating a sense of community and togetherness.