Highlights |
 MHA Mahindra Stadium, D- Road, Churchgate, MumbaiCapacity: 8,250 |
Squad: Andrew Meredith (Coach)
Adrian D’Souza (Captain), Aijub Ekka, Ajmer Singh, Anup Anthony, Bimal Lakra, Clyde Abrahams, Conroy Remedios, Devender Walmiki, Errol D’Silva, G M Hariprasad, Jay Karan, Joga Singh, Prabodh Tirkey, Pradhan Somanna, Rajesh Kumar, Richard Hildreth, S V Sunil, Shanyl Balwanth, Shashi Topno, Sudhir Raju Dixit, Troy Sutherland, Viren Rasquinha, Yuvraj Walmiki
Exactly a year ago, 1st edition of World Series Hockey was concluded with Sher-e-Punjab emerging as champions. Sher-e-Punjab had outclassed (5-2) Pune Strykers to win the 1st title of WSH.
Eight franchise based teams Bhopal Badshahs, Chandigarh Comets, Chennai Cheetahs, Delhi Wizards, Karnataka Lions, Mumbai Marines, Pune Strykers and Sher-e-Punjab participated in the 1st edition of WSH organized by Nimbus Sports in association with Indian Hockey Federation (IHF). 160 Indian players and 48 players from abroad (0.3 ratio of International players with respect to Indian players) played in the 2012 edition of the month long event.
Apart from a total of Rs. 10,00,00,000/- prize money, WSH invested a few Crores of Rupees in improving the infrastructure at host venues such as installation/upgradation of lights, laying/repairing of turf, installation of world class goalposts, etc. The WSH also worked with stadium authorities through out 8 venues (Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Jalandhar, Mumbai and Pune) to repair/upgrade and create facilities such as change rooms for the players, rest-rooms for spectators, etc. which are critical facilities but ignored often by the organizers and hosts. Continue reading
The match was something of an anti-climax. Cheetahs were reduced to a bundle of nerves in 65 minutes trailing 3-0 as Syed Imran Warsi, whom everyone had dreaded facing for the last 30 days, evoked nothing more than a wry smile from a rival defender as he struck his first drag-flick goal of the day with just five minutes remaining, leaving many with the sinking feeling that the league had come to an abrupt end for the mesmerising and talented Chennai Cheetahs.
Marines’ international flavour, Troy Sutherland, however, takes home some sweet memories despite his team finishing last in the league, playing a role in at least three goals as they crushed the semifinal hopes for Cheetahs with a 4-1 win in the 56th match, the last of the league matches in the inaugural Bridgestone World Series Hockey here at the MHA Mahindra Stadium on Friday. It will take some time for the wounds to heal for Brent Livermore and his boys as their stay in Mumbai has been cut short by a team which finished last. But, Marines’ gritty determination to win even when there were hardly any stakes in this match, is what the Bridgestone WSH is all about – all the great eight teams throwing everything at each other. Continue reading
Triple the tune-ins of EPL; 65% growth since launch week
The weekly tune-ins of the fourth week of Bridgestone World Series Hockey has reached the mark of 10 Million viewers, which has grown by 65% since the launch (6.31 Million).
Bridgestone World Series Hockey Weekly Tune-ins (Source - TAM, CS 4+)
The cumulative reach for the league is an overwhelming 25 Million viewers and is set to increase significantly as league approaches towards the end, with most of the matches continue to be high scoring and thrilling as race for ‘Semi-Final Spots’ is intense.
Nimbus Sport COO Yannick Colaco said, “It is indeed heartening to see such strong week on week growth for WSH. This week’s ratings are very significant as inspite being head on with Asia Cup; the viewership has increased by 25%. Similarly the weekly reach has continued to grow clearly demonstrating increased interest from the viewers. There is no doubt the WSH has booked a plce in consumer’s mindspace as the second biggest sports league in India after IPL” Continue reading
The smile on Chandigarh Comets’ head coach Harendra Singh said it all. Comets had launched their campaign in the inaugural edition of the Bridgestone World Series Hockey with a defeat to Bhopal Badshahs at the same venue almost a month back, but today they became the second team in the league to be guaranteed a place in the semifinals.
In a humdinger here at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, Comets beat Mumbai Marines 4-3. For the first time, Sher-E-Punjab find themselves a team hot on their heels, Comets, who are just behind them on goal average but with equal points (25 from 13 Matchs) . They will be cautious in their last league match, which could decide whom they meet in the semis. Continue reading
Full Stands in Bangalore, Home of Karnataka Lions in World Series Hockey
Mumbai, March 28, 2012: The Bridgestone World Series Hockey announced here today that the MHA Mahindra Stadium in Mumbai will host the grand finale of the inaugural edition on April 2, 2012 at 9pm. The MHA Mahindra Stadium, which underwent massive revamping for the WSH, was chosen out of eight venues across India based on the feedback from the players playing in the league that “the quality of the turf and floodlights is superb”
The spanking new MHA Mahindra Stadium will also host the second semi-final to be played on April 1, 2012 at 9pm. Karnataka, which is one of the biggest hockey bases in the world, will host the first semi-final at the KSHA Stadium, Bengaluru, to be held at 7pm on April 1. Continue reading
Mumbai, March 27, 2012: Bridgestone World Series Hockey today announced its partnership with YouTube to live stream all the matches online to the global audience. The deal will further add to the strong momentum the series has seen so far. With the action heating up, hockey fans across the globe will be able to catch all the action from the league matches and the semis and final match slated for 1st and 2nd April on its dedicated channel on YouTube (www.youtube.com/wsh)
The move will give Bridgestone World Series Hockey access to global markets and fans will be also be able to access match highlights of the entire tournament.
Bridgestone World Series Hockey Highlights
Yannick Colaco, COO, Nimbus Sport, said, “The historic inaugural edition of Bridgestone World Series Hockey already has many firsts to its credit and this partnership with YouTube has taken the league to all the global fans. The response on the online space is extremely overwhelming and we’re excited to take this fantastic tournament to hockey fans across the globe.” Continue reading
