ESPN-Star to telecast Afro-Asia Cup

ESPN-Star Sports bagged the telecast rights of the Afro-Asia Cup after Nimbus opted out of the deal citing the absence of big names in the tournament.

The Asian Cricket Council has awarded the worldwide rights for telecasting the second edition of Afro-Asia Cup to ESPN-Star Sports, the company said in a statement.

The deal includes exclusive global television broadcast rights of the tournament in addition to title, on-ground and commercial rights, it said.

However, the company declined to reveal the value of the deal.

Due to Nimbus' non-fulfillment of contractual obligations, the ACC has cancelled its contract and has now awarded rights to ESPN Star Sports, the statement added.

The Afro-Asia Cup will be held in Bangalore and Chennai in June 2007.

The broadcaster also has exclusive telecast rights for the next Asia Cup to be played in May 2008 in Pakistan. ESPN-Star Sports had recently bagged the coveted International Cricket Council global telecast and marketing rights until 2015 as well.

According to reports, Nimbus Sports had bought the rights for three editions of the tournament, first played in 2005 in South Africa, for 12 million dollars.

"We will not be part of the event in any way," Nimbus chief Harish Thawani had said on Wednesday. "We will not be telecasting the event. Neither will we be producing nor bringing sponsorship for the matches."     "We are pleased to extend our relationship with ESPN-Star Sports with the forthcoming edition of the Afro-Asia Cup. They are the undisputed leaders in the sports arena in the Asia Pacific region and bring a lot of value through a large distribution network and presentation of sports," ACC CEO Syed Ashraful Huq said.

ESPN Software India Managing Director R C Venkateish said: "Our distribution strength will ensure that cricket fans across India and abroad will be able to enjoy the telecast of this event."