New Delhi: Indiaโs national broadcaster, Doordarshan (DD), has joined hands with Hockey India League (HIL) as its official broadcast partner for the 2024-25 season. The collaboration aims to make IndiaKaGameโhockeyโa nationwide celebration, bringing the game closer to millions of fans across urban and rural India.
The league kicks off on December 28, 2024, marking a historic milestone with the launch of the inaugural Womenโs Hockey India League alongside the menโs tournament. A total of eight menโs teams and four womenโs teams will compete in Rourkela and Ranchi, showcasing top talent from India and around the world.
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Speaking on the partnership, Shri Navneet Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati, emphasized the importance of bridging the urban-rural divide. โPrasar Bharati is proud to partner with the Hockey India League, a platform that unites sports lovers nationwide. We aim to bring the electrifying spirit of hockey, including the debut Womenโs HIL, to viewers across India, making hockey a household name.โ
Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, lauded Indiaโs resurgence in hockey, citing the back-to-back Olympic medals in Tokyo and Paris as signs of a golden era. โThrough Doordarshan and our OTT platform Waves, we are committed to elevating hockey broadcasts to global standards. Fans worldwide can watch live coverage of both the menโs and womenโs leagues, starting December 28,โ he added.
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Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Chairperson of the HIL Governing Committee, called the collaboration a โlandmark step.โ He stated, โThis partnership amplifies our vision to promote hockey, especially with the debut of the Womenโs HIL. With Doordarshanโs reach, we are set to inspire millions.โ
Bhola Nath Singh, another committee member, highlighted the cultural significance of hockey. โHockey unites us, and the Womenโs HIL represents a leap towards equality for women athletes. With DD as our partner, weโre ready for an unforgettable season.โ
All matches will be broadcast live on DD Sports and Waves, ensuring unparalleled access for hockey fans. The partnership also includes coverage of all national championships under Hockey India, solidifying DDโs role in nurturing Indiaโs national sport.
