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“The music video is an attempt on our part to get hockey back into
the reckoning. To create awareness about the PHL brand we are using
our brand ambassador Sachin Tendulkar. He can be seen in promotional
spots talking up PHL. These spots are airing during India’s match
against Bangladesh. When the games kick off we are looking at roping
in film stars to support the players”
Sharma added that as the kick off date approaches the broadcaster
will use print and radio in a big way in order to familiarise people
with the teams and the different players. Online it will create
a microsite where fans can get information of the teams as well
as the playing schedule. There will also be road shows in the different
cities whose teams are participating.
Team captains will visit important hangouts and locations. The
aim is to create excitement among the locals that their team is
participating and to enable them to rally around their team. He
also dismissed the idea that the mediocre performance of the Indian
national hockey team at the recently concluded Champions Trophy
in Pakistan could dampen enthusiasm about the game. As far as sponsorship
is concerned Sharma said that deals were in the process of being
worked out.
Speaking about his involvement Nigam said, “It feels great to be
a part of the revival of hockey. Unfortunately Indians have lost
interest in the game as cricket is seen as being more glamorous.
The media is also to blame. All they want to do is promote cricketers
and actors. In fact our music industry is also suffering as a result.
“Why can’t our media promote Dhanraj Pillay and music directors?
What have we done for hockey and the players in the last 20 years?
If we are unwilling to do anything to uplift the game then we should
stop calling it our national sport. The PHL initiative is a laudable
step by ESS and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to bring back
glory to the game. The anthem has been done with a great deal of
enthusiasm and I am sure that it will inspire the players to give
their best effort. Personally speaking I would like to see The Maratha
Warriors do really well. Mumbai has produced some great sporting
icons in the past like Prakash Padukone and the PHL could well be
the avenue for more.”
As had been reported earlier by indiantelevision.com Each game
will have four quarters of 17 minutes and 30 second each, instead
of the two halves. New concepts of time-outs have also been introduced
in order to liven up the game. The winner within the stipulated
time will get three points for each victory while the team winning
in the extra time will share the points 2:1. The games will be played
under floodlights.
The league will have two tiers having five teams each in the first
year. Tier I will be called the ‘Premier Division’ and Tier II will
be called the ‘First Division’. The League will follow a round robin
format with all teams playing each other twice. The winner will
be decided on the basis of total points. What is interesting is
that the team names were decided by a survey of people living in
that particular city. For instance Hyderbad Sultans was chosen as
Hyderbadis are associated with royalty and tradition which goes
hand in hand with modernity. Bangalore High Fliers was chosen as
residents of the Garden City consider themselves to be trendsetters,
fore runners and leaders.
Buoyed by the success that its dual feed in English and Hindi for
cricket received in the past ESS will also do the same for PHL.
The television producers it has roped in have experience in producing
hockey at the Olympics and Commonwealth games. One of the good things
about PHL is the fact that players from Spain, Pakistan among other
countries will also be participating. That will give the Indians
valuable exposure. Right now discussions are going on with the various
international hockey federations.
Also Read:
ESS set
to take Indian hockey into new league
ESS to
telecast 'Premier Hockey League' for next 10 years
(Pic
by: Vicky Ahuja)
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