India vs Japan – search on for a broadcaster
Efforts are on to find a broadcaster for the one-off match between Japan and India. The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is in talks with ITW Universe to secure broadcast rights for the September 22 clash at Sano International Stadium in Tochigi Prefecture.
As the one-off game is being held concurrently with the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, producing it will pose a logistical and operational challenge for the organisers. The JCA, however, is believed to be close to signing an MoU with ITW Universe for the broadcast rights to the match.
The initial plan was to live-stream the match on YouTube with minimal production equipment, as finding a broadcast or streaming platform for a one-off game between two unevenly matched sides was considered difficult. It may still be streamed on YouTube for a global audience, but for viewers in India, the match could be shown on regular broadcast platforms.
Although a deal has not yet been signed, FanCode, the digital sports platform that has collaborated extensively with the JCA on pathway competitions, is understood to be among those being courted for the streaming rights. ITW Universe, meanwhile, is believed to be in talks with Star, Sony and Zee for the linear rights. The match will start at 9.30am IST (1pm Japan time).
The tricky part for ITW and the JCA is that the women’s gold-medal match is scheduled to start an hour later at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin City, Aichi. With the Indian women among the favourites to reach the final, there is a strong possibility that the men’s and women’s matches could clash. Sony are the rights holders for the Asian Games.
The organisers explored the option of holding the match on September 23 to avoid the clash, but the Asian Games schedule for the Japan men’s team proved to be a roadblock. They are due to travel to Aichi the following day for their first group-stage game against Afghanistan on September 24. Sano and Aichi are about 400km apart.
The Indian team will reach Sano on September 20. They are scheduled to practise on September 21 ahead of what is being hailed as a historic game. They may stay put in Sano for a few days before travelling to Aichi for their matches in the Asian Games. India’s first match, a quarter-final clash, is on September 28.
Meanwhile, the JCA said the Sano International Cricket Ground will be transformed for the India game. The venue has a capacity of 500, and the JCA is looking to scale up the facilities to accommodate a potential turnout of up to 2,000 fans.
