MUMBAI: After the Fifa World Cup what next has been what the naysayers have been harping on when it comes to new kid on the block Ten Sports. Well, big ticket cricket is what the new sports broadcaster that is promoted by Sharjah cricket's Abdur Rahman Bukhatir has lined up.
All is set and ready for the kick-off of the first international tournament to be held in Morocco's multi-million dollar Tangier Cricket Stadium. Taking place between 12 and 21 August, the tri-nations cricket tourney will have Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka participating.
The $ 25-million Tangier Cricket Stadium in northern Morocco with five pitches and another seven in the practice area will provide a striking oasis-like setting amidst the dry, desert backdrop of the African environment. What makes this event all the more unique is that it will be the first major tournament to be held there after it was granted international status by the ICC.
The Tangier Cricket Stadium The stadium met the relevant cricketing admission criteria following an inspection of the ground, facilities and infrastructure and has been audited by the ICC Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) against stringent security standards and protocols.
When the matches are in progress it will be Kingston inmedia, the satellite-centric broadband solutions provider of Kingston Communications (KCOM.L) that will be delivering content to Taj TV, the parent company of Ten Sports.
What is planned is that one of Kingston inmedia's satellite news-gathering (SNG) Trucks will be driven down to Tangier from London to cover the duration of the series. It will deliver the signal to Taj TV's base in Dubai, from where Ten Sports will broadcast the tournament throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Mike Walsh, head of sales for Kingston inmedia K-Links division, was quoted as saying in an official release: "Kingston inmedia is thrilled to be working with Taj TV in distributing this very special sporting event. It's the first time that a high-level international cricket tournament has been held in Morocco, and proves once again how incredibly flexible our SNG fleet can be."
Fred Clow, director of operations for outside broadcasts, Taj TV, said: "We selected Kingston inmedia based on the company's reputation for providing an ultra fast, ultra reliable service. We know the Kingston team can deliver the goods, and we are delighted that their high standards mirror our own."
Bukhatir's Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS), the Sharjah-based organisation that put Sharjah on the international cricket map, will be handling the organisation of all tournaments hosted at the Tangier Cricket Stadium. With total prize money of $250,000 and $120,000 for the winning team in this tournament, Tangier could soon outshine Sharjah as a venue for offshore cricket.
Morocco is very close to Europe and can be easily accessed from the Gulf. It has a pleasant Mediterranean climate and is cool during the subcontinental summer. During the monsoons, when it is difficult to hold sporting events in India, Morocco has only mild rain.
Morocco has also been proposed as a potential venue for Australia's series against Pakistan in September, due to the security concerns following the suicide bombing in Karachi recently that killed 14 people.
