Ten Sports bags rights for FIH hockey matches

MUMBAI: Ten Sports has retained the broadcasting rights for the FIH Champions Challenge and Champions Trophy.

The top men?s team from around the world will play in both the tournaments, which are held under the aegis of hockey?s governing body FIH.

FIH Champions Challenge will be played at Johannesburg from 26 November - 4 December. FIH Champions Challenge is the second major event on the men?s calendar before the 2012 London Olympics.

The Champions Challenge features the eight countries ranked from ninth to 16th in the world. Eight teams competing, in the tournament are India, Belgium, Poland, South Africa, Argentina, Canada, Japan and Malaysia.

The tournament will see 24 matches played over six days.

Ten Sports will also be telecasting the FIH Champions Trophy 2011 to be played in Auckland from 3 -11 December. The eight teams competing, in world ranking order are Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Great Britain, Korea, New Zealand and Pakistan. The tournament will see 24 matches played over six days.

Ten Sports CEO Atul Pande said, "We are committed to bringing the best sports action to our viewers, and this new agreement with FIH for telecast of Champions Challenge and Champions Trophy , reaffirms our commitment to grow the sports business and consolidate our position as the leading sports broadcaster."

FIH president Leandro Negre said, "We?re delighted to bring these events to subcontinental audiences via Ten Sports. In particular, Ten Sports? support has allowed us to fully televise the Champions Challenge in the subcontinent for only the second time in its history."

Meanwhile, Nimbus is gearing up for its hockey league World Series Hockey (WSH), which launches in December. Neo Sports will air the event.