Ten Sports to broadcast Junior Hockey World Cup

Ten Sports will broadcast Junior Hockey World Cup from 6-15 December, sixteen of the finest junior international teams in the world will fight it out for the title in the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, with hockey giants such as Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Korea, Pakistan and host nation India among the challengers.

A former sports channel head used to say, ‘There is no doubt, cricket is huge. But it does not mean there is no space for any other sports. Given emotional touch, hockey could be No.2.’ Thanks to cut-throat competition in buying cricket properties & digitalization; finally sports broadcasters have started recognizing commercial potential of Indian hockey. So much so that commercially viable Junior International tournaments are also being aired. Indian Junior team recently won Sultan Johor Cup & they are in top form. This tournament is being held just before FIH World Cup. It will be junior players big chance to display their talent in front of home support & get selected in Indian Senior team.

As for commentary, though research has repeatedly shown, given a choice 85% viewers prefer Hindi commentary, but unlike Star Sports Network which has Hindi feed as prime commentary feed for hockey matches, Ten Sports will air matches with world feed in English only commentary. All league matches featuring India will be played in prime time slot at 8:00 pm. Here are pools and timings of all the matches. Phir Dil Do Hockey Ko !

Pool A – Germany, Pakistan, Belgium, Egypt

Pool B – Australia, Spain, Argentina, France

Pool C – Netherlands, Korea, India, Canada

Pool D – England, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia

Friday 6 December

Korea v Canada 12:00 pm

Australia v Argentina 2:00 pm

Spain v France 2:30 pm

New Zealand v Malaysia 4:00 pm

Germany v Belgium 5:00 pm

Pakistan v Egypt 6:00 pm

England v South Africa 7:30 pm

Netherlands v India 8:00 pm

Saturday 7 December

Australia v Spain 2:00 pm

Argentina v France 4:00 pm

South Africa v Malaysia 6:00 pm

New Zealand v England 8:00 pm

Sunday 8 December

Belgium v Egypt 2:00 pm

Pakistan v Germany 4:00 pm

Korea v Netherlands 6:00 pm

India v Canada 8:00 pm

Monday 9 December

Argentina v Spain 2:00 pm

Australia v France 4:00 pm

England v Malaysia 6:00 pm

South Africa v New Zealand 8:00 pm

Tuesday 10 December

Germany v Egypt 2:00 pm

Belgium v Pakistan 4:00 pm

Netherlands v Canada 6:00 pm

India v Korea 8:00 pm

Wednesday 11 December Rest Day

Thursday 12 December

Quarterfinal 1: 1^st Pool A v 2^nd Pool B 1:15 pm

Quarterfinal 2: 1^st Pool D v 2^nd Pool C 3:30 pm

Quarterfinal 3: 1^st Pool B v 2^nd Pool A 5:45 pm

Quarterfinal 4: 1^st Pool C v 2^nd Pool D 8:00 pm

Friday 13 December

Classification Qualifier 1:15 pm

Semi-final 1: Quarterfinal 1 Winner v Quarterfinal 2 Winner 3:30 pm

Classification Qualifier 5:45 pm

Semi-final 2: Quarterfinal 3 Winner v Quarterfinal 4 Winner 8:00 pm

Saturday 14 December

Classification match for 15^th & 16^th position 1:15 pm

Classification match for 13^th & 14^th position 3:30 pm

Classification match for 11^th & 12^th position 5:45 pm

Classification match for 9^th & 10^th position 8:00 pm

Sunday 15 December

Classification match for 7^th & 8^th position 1:15 pm

Classification match for 5^th & 6^th position 3:30 pm

Classification match for 3^rd & 4^th position 5:45 pm

The Final 8:00 pm