MUMBAI: World Series Hockey has signed a host of internationals from Canada and South Africa.

The signed players are Clive Terwin, Geowynne Kyle Gamiet, Lungile Tsolekile & Shanyl Balwanth from South Africa; Adam Froese, Antoni Kindler, Iain Smythe, Mark Pearson, Ken Pereira, Richard Hildred & Sukhwinder Singh Gabbar from Canada.

The line up from the African and North American regions includes a current international captain and a set of players who have played close to 800 international matches amongst them.

Ken Pereira, captain of the Canadian hockey team and one of the 7 Canadian players on the WSH roster, said, "World Series Hockey is a huge platform to raise the profile of our sport globally. With the diverse mix of international players in the fray, this is a tournament that is truly global. India is a great place to play, the fans are really passionate about the sport. I have some good memories from playing in the WC and CWG in 2010."

Lungile Tsolekile, a forward and one of the 4 South Africans players in WSH, said, ?It?s a great opportunity to be able to play in a tournament of the stature of WSH. For all of my South African counterparts, it is going to be a fantastic learning experience playing with a host of international stars on the same team. World Series Hockey will see a face-off between the best players from around the world and I am proud to be a part of this esteemed event".

Nimbus Sport deputy general manager Karl Da Costa said, "With the signing of international players from the African and North American regions, World Series Hockey continues to build a pool of diverse global talent. The league will definitely engage fans with different styles of hockey merging to provide spectacular entertainment.?

The WSH will be held from 29 February to 2 April and will involve 200 leading players -- Indian and international -- who will showcase their talent in 59 matches. The 8 venues for the inaugural edition of the league are Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Jalandhar, Mumbai and Pune.

MUMBAI: IPL?s franchise from Pune, Pune Warriors, has retained Sourav Ganguly, who was included in last year?s squad as an injury replacement.

Pune Warriors director Abhijit Sarkar said, "We are privileged to have a player of Sourav Ganguly?s calibre in our squad. He has been one of India?s greatest and most inspirational cricketers. We have no doubt that his presence in the team will boost the team?s prospects in the IPL, and motivate the boys to excel themselves."

Ganguly has played with Shah Rukh Khan?s Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL?s first three editions. Last year, he signed up with Pune Warriors after the start of the 2011 edition of the tournament.

Kings XI Punjab has signed David Miller, the middle-order batsman from South Africa, for the next two seasons.

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment (DQE), the animation, gaming, live action entertainment production and distribution company, has appointed SMC Entertainment as its rights partner in North America, Australia and South Africa.

With the appointment, SMC has acquired all North American TV, home entertainment, licensing and merchandising rights, as well as all promotional rights to the 52 x 11‘ episode CGI-animated Jungle Book television series along with a one-hour feature from DQ Entertainment International.

Said DQE Chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, "The success of our TV series The Jungle Book is validated by the quality of partners it has attracted globally. From licensing for TV broadcast to merchandising across a varied range of products, the property has met with huge success and appealed to a new generation of children across all nationalities. 

"We are delighted with the partnership with SMC for North America and South Africa and are convinced that they will do justice to this iconic brand. I am sure our beloved Jungle Book will see new highs in the hands of our new and able partners."

In addition, SMC has acquired the master toy rights for Australia and New Zealand and licensing and merchandising rights of for The Jungle Book for South Africa. The company would market the series at Kidscreen Summit and the New York Toy Fair in February 2012.

SMC Entertainment (SMC) is the recently launched entertainment and brand management division of global consumer products manufacturer Sun-Mate Corporation.

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a notice to cricket?s richest board, the BCCI, to explain transfer and routing of funds to the tune of Rs 16 billion in the conduct of the second season of Indian Premier League cricket tournament.

The notice has been issued under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (Fema) regarding transfer of funds for the second edition of the IPL, which was conducted in South Africa in 2009.

Besides the BCCI, the notice has also been marked for former IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi, asking for an explanation of the transfer of these funds.

MUMBAI: Taj Television has bagged the worldwide television rights for Zimbabwe cricket till 2019.

The value of the deal is $20 million, according to sources. The four-year rights had earlier fetched $6 million.

The agreements with Taj Television cover the Zimbabwe cricket seasons in excess of an eight-year period from 2012 through to 2019. 

Taj Television will be telecasting 220 days of cricket including 15 days of India cricket consisting of two series.

With the acquisition of these cricket rights, Taj Television now has the rights of five cricket boards - South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe has returned to Test after a self imposed exile of six years, with an inspiring win against Bangladesh. Over the next two years, Zimbabwe will be playing Test Cricket with New Zealand, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka providing Zimbabwe a benchmark to measure their progress in the sport.

Zimbabwe Cricket MD Ozias Bvute said, "We are happy to extend our existing contract with Taj Television Limited as this plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Zimbabwean cricket is seen by those who love the game as well as introduced to new audiences. With its superior telecast standards, world class television production capabilities and strength to telecast the Zimbabwe Cricket worldwide, Taj Television Limited will add a lot of value to game of cricket."

Taj Television India CEO Atul Pande said, "We‘re extremely pleased to extend our partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket. This is a testament to our commitment to the game of cricket and fans as we cement our relationship with Zimbabwe Cricket.

"Through our television channels-Ten Cricket and Ten Sports, our website www.tencricket.com and our various wireless platform initiatives, we are confident of taking the rights of Zimbabwe Cricket to new heights by working along with various partners and are committed to set new benchmarks in broadcasting and distribution."