| MUMBAI:
With new sports channels coming in it is inevitable that new formats will also
come in. One such format is a cricket based reality show called Cricket Star.
This is an initiative to find a budding cricket star who
has been bypassed by the system. The idea is the brainchild
of Investors In Cricket (IIC) a firm that looks at sports
rights relevant to the Asian subcontinent. This will be in
the form of a reality hunt and will air as a television event
for 11 weeks from 14 January 2007 on DD and Zee. DD and Zee
Sports will each week simulcast three episodes. Zee TV will
air an episode each week.
Miditech has been roped in
to produce the show. Airtel and HLL are the presenting sponsors. Aspiring cricketers
can apply by calling 5052727 from GSM mobiles, 1277777 from MTNL landlines or
1255527 from MTNL and BSNL. One can also send an SMS CSTAR to 7575.
Eight selection centres are open and one has to showcase
one's skills there, whether it is batting, bowling or wicket
keeping. From there the chosen ones go to a pre academy phase.
Finally 23 contestants will go to the Academy. There will
be a countdown and thus an elimination process to find the
winner.
The channel has roped in Kapil Dev and Saurav Ganguly as
judges. The flamboyant Ajay Jadeja will be the expert analyst.
IIC chairman Manoj Badale points out that after the event
in India is finished it will travel abroad to the UK and Pakistan
among other countries. "This marks the first time a cricket
based reality show is launching in India. This marks the first
time a reality show that has originated from India travels
abroad. Normally it is the other way around.
This idea has taken a while to put together. We wanted the
best possible reach, which is why we approached DD and Zee.
DD as the national broadcaster can reach the small towns.
Zee with its multi lingual channels will also help get the
message across."
The winner gets an all expenses paid contract with Leicestershire
County Cricket Club and cash. The final 11 contestants will
also get a chance to participate in the rollout of Cricket
Star in the UK next Summer and in Pakistan. Also, Cricket
Star aspirants will play
a series of 20:20 matches.These will air on Zee Sports.
When the 23 chosen contestants enter the cricket Star Academy
each week the judges will nominate the four bottom performers
out of whom two will be evicted by the participants., When
it is down to the final 11 viewers will be able to vote by
phone or through SMS.
The final episode airs at the end of March 2007.
Miditech CEO Nikhil Alva points out that the challenge begins
from today as the lines are now open. Whether or not it is
as big as Indian Idol will depend on the response.
"We are confident that with our previous experience we
will be able to handle the logistics of the event. There will
certainly be drama as viewers get to know the human side of
the candidates in addition to their cricketing abilities.
Zee Sports business head Himanshu Mody says that this is
the first time a format has brought cricket and television
together in an entertaining manner. "We aim to find the
hidden wonders in India's villages and towns And showcase
them to the country along with their travails and struggles.
At Zee Sports it has always been about showcasing sports and
sportspersons from India. As they say may the best man or
woman win."
Jadeja says that more than just a show this will also be
a coaching platform for aspirants. Kapil Dev and Ganguly will offer advice to
aspirants on how to improve their skills. Ganguly sees this endeavour as
a way to give back to the game for the opportunities it has given him. Dev says
that every youngster who is passionate about the game should at least be given
an opportunity. It should not be that a youngster feels that he/she could have
made it but an opportunity was not given. Airtel marketing director Gopal
Vittal says, "In India cricket and Bollywood share a passion that cuts across
geographies, cultures and religions. Today every street, nukkad or galli in this
country has an enthusiastic budding cricketer waiting for an opportunity to perform
on a bigger stage. Cricket Star offers them an opportunity to perform at the highest
level."
HLL is involved through its product Faior And Lovely Mens
Active. HLL VP Skin Care Ashok Venkatramani says, " Our
product has already changed the story of male gooming in India.
This association will catch the fancy of every male in India
who aspires to get that opportunity to see themselves as the
next Cricket Star.
This is our contribution to Indian cricket and we are certain
that this will help discover the Sachin's Dhoni's, Pathan's
Sehwags etc. Our support is a sure way of changing the story
of Indian cricket and taking it to greater heights of glory."
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