Ten Sports to broadcast Junior Hockey World Cup
Ten Sports will broadcast Junior Hockey World Cup from 6-15 December, sixteen of the finest junior international teams in the world will fight it out for the title in the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, with hockey giants such as Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Korea, Pakistan and host nation India among the challengers.
A former sports channel head used to say, ‘There is no doubt, cricket is huge. But it does not mean there is no space for any other sports. Given emotional touch, hockey could be No.2.’ Thanks to cut-throat competition in buying cricket properties & digitalization; finally sports broadcasters have started recognizing commercial potential of Indian hockey. So much so that commercially viable Junior International tournaments are also being aired. Indian Junior team recently won Sultan Johor Cup & they are in top form. This tournament is being held just before FIH World Cup. It will be junior players big chance to display their talent in front of home support & get selected in Indian Senior team.
As for commentary, though research has repeatedly shown, given a choice 85% viewers prefer Hindi commentary, but unlike Star Sports Network which has Hindi feed as prime commentary feed for hockey matches, Ten Sports will air matches with world feed in English only commentary. All league matches featuring India will be played in prime time slot at 8:00 pm. Here are pools and timings of all the matches. Phir Dil Do Hockey Ko !
Pool A – Germany, Pakistan, Belgium, Egypt
Pool B – Australia, Spain, Argentina, France
Pool C – Netherlands, Korea, India, Canada
Pool D – England, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia
Friday 6 December
Korea v Canada 12:00 pm
Australia v Argentina 2:00 pm
Spain v France 2:30 pm
New Zealand v Malaysia 4:00 pm
Germany v Belgium 5:00 pm
Pakistan v Egypt 6:00 pm
England v South Africa 7:30 pm
Netherlands v India 8:00 pm
Saturday 7 December
Australia v Spain 2:00 pm
Argentina v France 4:00 pm
South Africa v Malaysia 6:00 pm
New Zealand v England 8:00 pm
Sunday 8 December
Belgium v Egypt 2:00 pm
Pakistan v Germany 4:00 pm
Korea v Netherlands 6:00 pm
India v Canada 8:00 pm
Monday 9 December
Argentina v Spain 2:00 pm
Australia v France 4:00 pm
England v Malaysia 6:00 pm
South Africa v New Zealand 8:00 pm
Tuesday 10 December
Germany v Egypt 2:00 pm
Belgium v Pakistan 4:00 pm
Netherlands v Canada 6:00 pm
India v Korea 8:00 pm
Wednesday 11 December Rest Day
Thursday 12 December
Quarterfinal 1: 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B 1:15 pm
Quarterfinal 2: 1st Pool D v 2nd Pool C 3:30 pm
Quarterfinal 3: 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A 5:45 pm
Quarterfinal 4: 1st Pool C v 2nd Pool D 8:00 pm
Friday 13 December
Classification Qualifier 1:15 pm
Semi-final 1: Quarterfinal 1 Winner v Quarterfinal 2 Winner 3:30 pm
Classification Qualifier 5:45 pm
Semi-final 2: Quarterfinal 3 Winner v Quarterfinal 4 Winner 8:00 pm
Saturday 14 December
Classification match for 15th & 16th position 1:15 pm
Classification match for 13th & 14th position 3:30 pm
Classification match for 11th & 12th position 5:45 pm
Classification match for 9th & 10th position 8:00 pm
Sunday 15 December
Classification match for 7th & 8th position 1:15 pm
Classification match for 5th & 6th position 3:30 pm
Classification match for 3rd & 4th position 5:45 pm
The Final 8:00 pm