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No live telecast despite ‘assurances’
Two days into the start of Indian football’s most important cup competition, the Federation Cup, there has been no telecast. This after IMG-Reliance, the commercial partner of the AIFF, having briefed clubs about a long-term TV deal on Tuesday.
Two days into the start of Indian football’s most important cup competition, the Federation Cup, there has been no telecast. This after IMG-Reliance, the commercial partner of the AIFF, having briefed clubs about a long-term TV deal on Tuesday.
At a core committee meeting of the I-League in New Delhi on Tuesday, IMG-R representatives had assured clubs that it is on the verge of signing a deal with a nationally available channel that would ensure live coverage of 15 Federation Cup and 75 I-League matches this season.
On Thursday, a senior club official who attended the meeting told HT: “IMG-R assured that the deal would be signed before the start of the Federation Cup (which began in Siliguri and Jamshedpur on Wednesday). But like many other promises they failed to keep this one as well. I don’t think the AIFF can be blamed in any way and from what I know the channel too is ready to telecast.
“Since the football calendar was issued in March, IMG-R knew the Federation Cup would take place in September. I don’t know whether they are doing this intentionally or they don’t have any interest in Indian football.”
No representative from IMG-R could be contacted.
