By David Gold

tensports logo_22-11-11November 23 - The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has agreed a long term partnership with India's largest sports network, Ten Sports, for the rights to broadcast major FIH championships till 2014.


The sports channel will broadcast over 50 matches involving India in the next four years from some of the world's biggest tournaments.

Ten Sports chief executive Atul Pande said: "Our long term agreement with FIH reaffirms our commitment to bring the best sports action to our viewers.

"This new agreement for telecast best of men hockey Champions Challenge and Champions Trophy, reaffirms our commitment to grow the sports business and consolidate our position as the leading sports broadcaster."

Leandro Negre, FIH President, added: "We're delighted to extend our long term partnership with Ten Sports for a further four years.

"This deal is of unprecedented value to FIH, not only in terms of the record licence fee, but also for us to guarantee hockey fans and FIH sponsors unparalleled exposure for the world's best hockey events on the subcontinent's most-watched sports channel."

The Champions Challenge and Champions Trophy in South Africa and New Zealand later this year will be the first events shown as part of the agreement.

Other tournaments to be shown by Ten Sports will include the Olympic men's qualifiers from Delhi, India next year and both the 2012 and 2014 Champions Trophy tournaments.

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