(3 June 2006 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: With the Fifa World Cup kicking off in Germany next week, ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has roped in noted astrologer Bejan Daruwalla who will attempt to predict the outcome of the matches.

Daruwalla's GaneshaSpeaks provides astro predictions regarding the outcome of World Cup matches and highlight players of the day from quarterfinal matches and phone in for key matches of the Fifa World Cup to be telecast.

ESS marketing director Nirmal Dayani said, "It has been our utmost endeavour to provide the Indian audience an experience of a lifetime during the World Cup telecast this year.

"All our programming and marketing initiatives have been aligned to involve our consumers in the game. Our latest initiative featuring Daruwalla will add a new dimension to our special programming during Germany 2006. Daruwalla and his GaneshaSpeaks team will be providing predictions and astro foresight as a build up for World Cup matches. The objective here is to give the telecast of the World Cup a new flavour."

Daruwalla said, "This is a great challenge. I know it is exceptionally difficult to come right in the unpredictable games of cricket or football or hockey or any other great sport. But that is exactly why I love to do my best and leave the rest to Ganesha. This is a tremendous opportunity for me to try out my predictions, thanks to the sports channel ESPN Star Sports."

Daruwalla, rated among the top 100 astrologers in the world by Harper Collins' Prophecy, will feature on all pre match shows to give an astrological viewpoint to the World Cup matches. Not only will he assess the teams involved according to their stars, but will also give a foresight on the players to watch out for every match of the tournament.

To build hype on the Fifa World Cup, ESS had earlier announced various initiatives to generate viewer interest. The broadcaster had earlier launched 11 Hindustani, a consumer based contest in partnership with Coke to take 11 Indians to watch the World Cup live along with a nation wide search for four Indian children to be Fifa Flag Bearers during the World Cup. The channel has also announced a special Hindi feed and an in studio panel of Gerry Armstrong, Steve McMahon and Harsha Bhogle for the Word Cup.

GaneshaSpeaks provides astrology content and services on mobile phones and the Internet. Bejan Daruwalla's GaneshaSpeaks team provide personalised predictions and guidance to customers via Ganeshaspeaks.com. SiddhiVinayak Astrology Services owns the brand.