HS Prannoy requests television network to telecast sports other than cricket during lockdown

Indian shuttler HS Prannoy, on Friday requested television network Star Sports to telecast sports other than cricket during the country-wide lockdown issued to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The 27-year-old took to social networking site Twitter to express his frustration. He alleged that Star Sports are only telecasting cricket and there is nothing on offer for Olympic sports fans.

“A small request from my side to Star Sports India. Cricket is being shown 24x7 in Star Sports on this lockdown period. Would be a great help if you can telecast other Sporting events too. Kids would benefit big time,” Prannoy wrote.

https://twitter.com/PRANNOYHSPRI/status/1248471073760272384

To this, Star’s official Twitter handle replied that sports such as Tennis, F1, and football are also on offer — probably, not the right thing to say to an international badminton star, and indeed, Prannoy responded

https://twitter.com/PRANNOYHSPRI/status/1248487750925352960

It is to be noted that all sporting events across the world, including all BWF tournaments and the Tokyo Olympics, have been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. People have been forced to go into isolation and lockdowns have been enforced in most parts of the world.

Prannoy is justified in making the request as, after all, Star Sports is the only network which has the rights to telecast BWF tournaments in India. That means if the channel doesn’t telecast badminton matches, there is no badminton on TV.

Many fans also joined in on the thread, asking Star to telecast badminton and other sports.

https://twitter.com/vikramsathaye/status/1248472146260578304

https://twitter.com/triedtobefunny/status/1248473213480218624

https://twitter.com/leokhushi/status/1248483246209298432

https://twitter.com/basil_06_/status/1248485105762353157

It remains to be seen if Star Sports adds badminton, one of the sports that has given India more sporting heroes than any in recent times, to their packed schedule.

Also read: Things might hurt players financially and mentally: Prannoy