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Sri
Lanka Cricket seals rights deal with Taj TV The agreement which is the highest ever by Sri Lanka Cricket was finalized at the SLC headquarters on Friday evening with the President of SLC Mohan de Silva,Vice Presidents Trevor Rajaratnam, Aravinda de Silva and Secretary Lawrence Amarasena signing the documents on behalf of SLC while Zahid Noorani, Director Taj Television was the signatory for the Dubai based company. The agreement includes a minimum of 25 Tests and 39 One Day Internationals, starting with the West Indies' tour of Sri Lanka in July 2005. This will be followed by the much anticipated tri-nation one-day series between Sri Lanka, India and West Indies. In fact, India is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka thrice over the duration of the agreement. In a press release President Mohan de Silva said, "We are extremely pleased to be associated with Ten Sports. They have been great supporters of Sri Lankan cricket and the new agreement takes our relationship to a new level. I am sure Sri Lankan cricket will benefit with the involvement of Ten Sports and the fans will love their quality coverage." He further stated that this agreement would immensely help cricket development in Sri Lanka and is pleased that our cricket teams are performing well at all levels presently. The new agreement extends Ten Sports' relationship with cricket in Sri Lanka, which began years ago. Sri Lanka Cricket and Ten Sports teamed up on the historic England tour in 2003, followed by the Australian and South African tours as well as Sri Lanka's first-ever 20/20 event in September 2004. The Island Nation was the first in a series of international cricket rights won by Ten Sports, with the Pakistan, West Indies and Zimbabwe (sponsorship) Boards now also working with the channel. CEO, Taj Television Chris McDonald in a statement said,"Sri Lankan cricket has a special place in our hearts. We look forward to the continued and fantastic support we received from the Board, players and the fans. The Sri Lankan team generates tremendous excitement with their skill and flair, and their marvelous performance in 2004 has placed them amongst one of the cricketing world's top sides." Ten Sports will also produce the cricket in Sri Lanka, part of a unique treble, with the channel producing all cricket matches in Pakistan and the recent Australia, South Africa and Pakistan tours of India. During the agreement period, India will travel to Sri Lanka for a triangular involving South Africa in October 2006, and for a three Test and five One Day International series in February 2008. It also includes Pakistan's tour in 2006, England in 2007 and Australia in 2008. In just a short span of three years, Ten Sports has become the world's biggest producers of cricket. The Channel broadcasts cricket from Sharjah, the West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Morocco throughout the Indian sub-continent and Asia, as well as in Europe and the Middle East (except Pakistan cricket). Also, Ten Sports has broadcast cricket from India, the World Cup 2003 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2004 in certain territories. Only launched in April 2002, Ten Sports is already watched by more viewers than any other sports channel in the Sub-continent. |
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