MUMBAI: While it may not be a big sport in India basketball is certainly drawing in fans in large numbers in Taiwan.

Recognising this ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has netted an agreement with the Taiwan's Super Basketball League committee to broadcast and market the League's second season, which begins in December.

The committee includes the Taiwan Sports Council, the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA) and the seven teams that form the Super Basketball League (SBL).

Under the agreement, ESS will provide coverage and marketing of SBL matches, including related programming for the Taiwan audience that incorporate innovative graphics and interactive elements.

ESS Greater China MD Kathy Sun said, "We are pleased to work with the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association and the seven basketball teams to market and broadcast the League again, after the success of the first season. Through our partnership with them, we hope to help promote tremendous growth in this sport in Taiwan and lift its development to a higher level."

The popularity of basketball in Asia has been boosted by the success of Chinese players overseas like Yao Ming and Wang Zhi Zhi. ESS claims that in Taiwan, an estimated 8.6 million cable viewers tuned in to ESPN and Star Sports to catch the excitement and drama of the NBA last year.