NIMBUS SPORT, INDIAN HOCKEY FEDERATION ENTERS INTO
AN AGREEMENT
Mumbai, December 28, 2010: Nimbus Sport has entered into an agreement with the Indian
Hockey Federation (IHF) to conceptualize, stage and market an annual hockey league called “World
Series Hockey” (the League), with the first edition scheduled to be launched in late 2011.
The 15 year deal between Nimbus Sport and the IHF is expected to transform the way hockey is
played and perceived in India. The objective of the League is to reinvigorate hockey in India and to
make hockey the ‘sport of choice’ for young Indians. Further it aims at creating a milieu for hockey,
which can sustain itself financially and provides financial incentive and security to current and future
hockey players. Most importantly, it will showcase Indian hockey to the world.
An annual event, the League entails participation of upto 10 teams in its first year, using a city based
model. The entire event will take place on ‘home and away’ basis culminating into multi header
Playoffs. The first edition of World Series Hockey will take place between November / December
2011 to February 2012, feature upto 100 matches and upto 250 hockey players from India and around
the world. Each match of the league will be produced and broadcast LIVE on multiple media platforms
including Television.
Mr. R. K. Shetty, President, IHF, said, “This joint initiative between IHF and Nimbus will reinvigorate
our national game while injecting additional funds into the development of hockey. Nimbus Sport is
one of Asia’s largest Sports Management Company with experience in management and marketing of
global events across the world. With their management and marketing excellence plus financial
investments, we are confident that Indian Hockey is set for its biggest ever boost. World Series
Hockey is a win-win situation for everyone as it will bring back hockey fans and make them cheer the
national sport and local talent.”
Mr. Harish Thawani, Executive Chairman, Nimbus Communications Ltd., said, “World Series Hockey
will provide hockey players from India and around the world an opportunity to showcase their skills
on a prominent platform. This event is only the first in a number of initiatives we have planned in
Hockey to help bring back glory to our National Sport.”
Mr. Yannick Colaco, Chief Operating Officer, Nimbus Sport, added, “This initiative in Hockey is part
of our commitment towards accelerating the growth of sport in India through financial and resource
investment. World Series Hockey is an unique hockey event which will immensely benefit all the
stakeholders of the game, including the players and the hockey fan”
Nimbus Sport shall team up with the IHF to organize, manage, develop, produce, stage, promote and
market the League. Nimbus Sport will also market all broadcasting and all other electronic media
rights, in connection with the League. Nimbus has committed to underwrite the entire cost of the
League as well as provide IHF with an annual fee for the development of hockey in India amounting to
over Rs. 30 crores over the period of the contract OR a share of League profits, whichever is higher.
About Nimbus Sport
Nimbus Sport, a subsidiary of Nimbus Communications Limited, is a leading full sports rights management and
marketing company providing a complete range of solutions in sport, from on-ground to on-air. Nimbus markets
the global media rights for all International cricket played in India in an exclusive arrangement with the BCCI. In
addition to the rights acquired from the BCCI, it has acquired and manages certain rights with respect to other
sports federations, including Bangladesh Cricket Board, Asian Cricket Council Cricket Kenya and Singapore
Cricket Association. Nimbus Sport is also a leading producer of the World Feed for LIVE sports events and has
produced over 3,800 hours of LIVE content for sports events.