ESPN STAR Sports to Air Special Olympic World Summer Games

SINGAPORE, October 1: ESPN Star Sports will broadcast the 2007 Special Olympic World Summer Games in Shanghai, China, across the Asian region, beginning tomorrow.

It will be the first time the summer games will be held in Asia, and only the second time outside the U.S., and more than 30,000 athletes and officials from 175 countries are expected to take part.

ESPN STAR Sports will feature highlights of the Games on its ESPN and STAR Sports channels throughout Asia, including a ‘live’ broadcast of the Opening Ceremony on October 2 on STAR Sports. Daily highlights of personal triumphs will be shown every weekday on SportsCenter Asia news bulletins at 10 p.m. HKT on ESPN and a one-hour post-Games highlight special will air on October 18 on STAR Sports. ESPN, in the U.S. will provide coverage of the 2007 Special Olympic World Summer Games across various platforms, including its television channel, ESPN360.com and ESPN.com.

Special Olympics is the international non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in 25 different Olympic-type and demonstration sports. Since 2006, ESPN STAR Sports has been closely involved with Special Olympics as part of its “Engage with ESPN STAR Sports” corporate social responsibility efforts. Over the last year, ESPN STAR Sports has organized various initiatives such the production and broadcast of the first Special Olympics International Cricket Cup in Mumbai last year, in which 272 athletes and more than 600 volunteers, coaches and officials from nine countries participated. In addition, ESPN STAR Sports staff has been working actively with Special Olympics athletes through volunteer coaching programs, fundraising activities and family days. The network has also run public service announcements to increase awareness of people with intellectual disabilities.

Manu Sawhney, the managing director of ESPN STAR Sports, said: “ESPN STAR Sports has shared a unique relationship with Special Olympics and we are pleased to continue our support and commitment to this cause. The dedication and commitment of Special Olympics teams and athletes is a story that needs to be told. With 17 networks across 24 countries, ESPN STAR Sports is well-positioned to deliver the Special Olympics’ message of acceptance and inclusion of its athletes and bring greater awareness across markets in Asia."