ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), the official broadcast partner of DP World International League T20 (DP World ILT20), which is set to debut on Friday, January 13, has announced Paytm, Kurkure Playz, Kent RO and Gulf Oil as the first set of sponsors for its inaugural edition.
ILT20 marks the network’s re-entry into the sports broadcast business after selling Ten Sports to Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) in 2016 for Rs 2,600 crores. Technically at least, since ZEE is in the process of being merged with SPN in an agreement that was signed in December 2021, for which regulatory approvals finally came through in October 2022.
Commenting on the announcement, Rahul Johri, president – Business, South Asia, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, said: “As we embark on this exciting journey, we would like to extend a warm welcome to all our partners. We are delighted with the overwhelming response for the DP World ILT20’s inaugural edition. At ZEE, we are committed to take this unique cricketing extravaganza to our global audiences and firmly believe that the league will emerge as one of the biggest and most-popular global cricketing events.”
“Paytm is excited to be present on ILT20 since the series encourages the passion of cricket in the country. It’s association with Zee5 will always be cherished,” says Neha Agarwalla, GM Marketing, Paytm.
“We are excited to be part of the ILT20 for our brand Kuhl fans. We are quite hopeful that Zee Network will put in their best and their experience of sports to make this league a huge success. Given the composition of league and kind of teams that are part of it, our brand messaging of being Smart and Stylish fits well. We wish the Zee team and ILT20 the very best,” commented Mahesh Gupta, CMD, Kent RO Systems
Amit Gheji, head of Marketing, Gulf Oil India, noted: “It is a delight to partner with this cricket extravaganza which takes the excitement of short format cricket up a notch, beyond Indian borders. Gulf Oil India resonates with this league as both entities display a passion for the sport. Gulf has been a constant supporter of performance sports – be it motorsports or cricket, where we have signed up eminent cricket personalities as our brand ambassadors. Going forward, we will continue to find new ways to excite & engage the consumers/fans in the best possible manner.”
Teamworks ILT20’s software planning solution
ILT20 is using Teamworks operating system for the league’s communication and planning requirements across all areas of the league.
The league will be played in a 34-match format across the UAE’s cricket facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Franchise teams, comprising over 100 International and 24 UAE-based players, include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).
Cricket fans across the world can catch the LIVE telecast of ILT20 on ZEE’s linear channels, digital platform, Zee5 as well as Zee Cinema SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, &Pictures HD, &Flix SD, &Flix HD, Zee Zest SD, Zee Zest HD, Zee Bangla Cinema, Zee Thirai, and on CricLife across the UAE and MENA regions.
