Tag: Badminton league

  • Eurosport India acquires broadcasting rights of inaugural GBPL 2022

    Eurosport India acquires broadcasting rights of inaugural GBPL 2022

    Mumbai: Eurosport India announced that it has acquired the broadcasting rights for the inaugural Grand Prix Badminton League (GPBL). The 2022 edition of the league will be played in Bengaluru from 12 August to 21 August.

    Eight teams representing different cities in Karnataka will have over 64 players from across the state under the mentorship of national badminton superstars, including the likes of two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, former world number one Kidambi Srikanth, Commonwealth gold medalist duo of Jwala Gutta & Ashwini Ponappa, along with World Championship bronze medalist B Sai Praneeth, Thomas Cup winning team India’s Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.

    Announcing the broadcast partnership, Warner Bros. Discovery head of Eurosport India-South Asia Ruchir Jain said, “It’s the first time that our top players will be managing a team consisting of budding players and we are very eager to bring that action to the audience in India. GPBL is just a new beginning that is going to go on for a long time, and we are glad to be a part of this journey.”

    The eight teams competing in the GPBL are viz., Mandya Bulls, Mysore Panthers, Bengaluru Lions, Malnad Falcons, KGF Wolves, Mangalore Sharks, Bundipur Tuskers, and Kodagu Tigers, consisting of eight players each.

    Speaking about collaboration, GBPL commissioner and Bitsport CEO Prashanth Reddy commented, “Exciting times lie ahead as GPBL is finally set to begin soon. It is a league like never before as we will get to see many new players under the mentorship of Olympics players like Sindhu and other top national badminton players. Eurosport has been a go-to destination for many sports, and we found them to be the perfect broadcasting partner for GPBL.”

    Eurosport India is ready to bring the badminton action closer to the audience as each team will play the other team at least once, and the team with the most wins and scores on the leaderboard will get hold of the trophy, with the winners taking away Rs 24 lakh out of a total of Rs 60 lakh in terms of prize money.

  • Vodafone India secures the ‘title sponsorship’ for inaugural Indian badminton league 2013

    Vodafone India secures the ‘title sponsorship’ for inaugural Indian badminton league 2013

    Bangalore: In one of the most anticipated statements of the high-impact Indian Badminton League, it was announced today that Vodafone India, India’s leading telecommunications service providers will be the ‘Title Sponsors’ for Indian Badminton League (IBL) 2013.

    Speaking on the association, Vivek Mathur, Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone India said, “Vodafone has a strong association with sport in India. We see a great initiative in the Indian Badminton League. Badminton is a sport that most Indians associate with and we see this as a paradigm shift in the sports entertainment industry. Vodafone India intends to make the best out of this association.”

    Speaking on the association, Mr Ashish Chadha, CEO, Sporty Solutionz, the ‘Commercial Partner’ for IBL, said, “It’s a matter of pride for Indian Badminton League today that Vodafone India has decided to promote the League and this association will take BAI and Sporty Solutionz’s attempt to promote badminton in India to the next level. With its unparalleled reputation for world-class services and pioneering telecom supremacy, Vodafone India’s support will be a key factor to the success of IBL. Keeping in mind Vodafone India’s past association with sports, it gives us the confidence that they will even guide us with their valuable experience through this foray.”

    Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta, Badminton Association of India President & MP said, “We welcome Vodafone to the IBL family. We look forward to a strong and successful association and their presence will add goodwill to the League.”

    The $1-million Indian Badminton League is set to launch on August 14, 2013, with some high-voltage action expected between Krrish Delhi Smashers and Pune Pistons. The 2013 IBL will feature six franchises and will run for 18 days. Each franchise will host a two-day leg and the League will showcase a grand total of 90 matches, providing broadcasters and in-stadia spectators with more than 100 hours of LIVE “family entertainment” on STAR Sports 2 & ESPN. The matches will be held during late afternoon and evening to coincide with prime time television and providing a convenient time for the stadium audience. The LIVE IN-stadia entertainment, combined with high-octane on-court action is expected to further hook viewers onto this new adrenalin packed LIVE family entertainment format attracting a much younger fan base, which also includes women and children.

    The top four franchises in the League will clash in the semi-finals and the winners will meet in the grand final on August 31, which will be played in Mumbai, for the richest prize money tournament in badminton till now.