ESPN STAR Sports to live telecast IFA Shield 2004

ESPN STAR Sports will telecast the semi-finals and the final of the IFA Shield 2004 football tournament. This is the second year in a row that a domestic soccer league will be telecast live on cable and satellite television.

The channel had showcased the IFA Shield 2003 and the telecast had received a good response from the avid soccer fans of Kolkata.

The first semi-final will be aired live on STAR Sports at 5.30 pm on October 7, 2004, to be followed by the second semi-final on the next day at the same time. The final match will be aired live on October 10 at 5.30 pm

The channel is making special preparations to ensure that the coverage of the 'IFA Shield 2004' is at par with its coverage of international soccer. Special camera locations have been identified and devices like the electronic video storage (EVS), which allow action replays from eight angles, will be used.

Hi-tech graphics customized for the match will also be used to cover the football tournament. Special guests and erstwhile soccer players will feature in the Sports studio for in-depth analysis and interesting discussions during the tournament.

Apart from the telecast of the matches, ESPN STAR Sports is also doing extensive on-air and on-ground promotions for the IFA Shield 2004. This includes advertisements in leading publications in Kolkata, hoardings across Kolkata and a radio contest for the fans through which they will have a chance to win free tickets to the final of the IFA Shield 2004.

Further, ESPN STAR Sports has also produced a special promo featuring the club captains, which is already on-air on ESPN and STAR Sports. Maruti Esteem is the on-air associate sponsor for the IFA Shield 2004.