| MUMBAI:
ESPN Star Sports has announced the launch of season two of 'Nike Football Locker
Room' (NFLR) which will be hosted by Gaurav Kapoor. The
series will go on air starting 8 August that coincides with the start of the new
season of Barclays Premier League (BPL). Every
episode of NFLR will have expert guests to review the happenings of the week showcasing
the important matches, best goals, quick facts, rule clarifications and analysis
of moves during the game. Announcing
the launch, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd MD R C Venkateish said, "ESPN Star
Sports has played an instrumental role in promoting soccer in India over the last
few years. The following of international soccer has been on the rise not only
in soccer markets like Kolkata and Kerala but also in major metros across India.
We have huge live soccer content on our networks; a feature programme which dwells
on the nuances of international soccer will add a distinct flavor to the same.
NFLR will be the window to Barclays Premier League for soccer enthusiasts and
we are delighted with Nike's contribution to elevate the level of enthusiasm for
the sport in India." Nike
and ESPN Star Sports entered into a partnership in 2006, to connect with football
obsessed fans in India. As
part of this partnership, Nike became an associate broadcast sponsor of the Barclays
Premier League that is aired exclusively on ESPN STAR Sports in India. Nike further
sponsors the half hour, soccer specific program - Nike Football Locker Room, a
weekly program that showcases highlights of BPL matches, conducts contests and
gives a preview of the games in the week ahead. Nike
India Pvt Ltd marketing director Sanjay Gangopadhyay said, "We aim to work
closely with ESPN Star Sports to fuel the passion for the sport among teenagers
in the country. Nike sees the NFLR as a great opportunity to further our commitment
to sport at the grassroots. We hope that the programme will help feed the enthusiasm
for the sport in India." According
to an official release, NFLR's new season launch is part of a broader strategy
of ESPN Star Sports to make it more interactive and launch sport specific feature
programmes in India. It states that the launch incorporates suggestions, views
and opinions gathered by the sports broadcaster from hardcore soccer fans by conducting
extensive research across all major metros seeking inputs. | 
