SINGAPORE - That V Sundramoorthy bicycle-kick, that Fandi Ahmad side-foot finish, that day in 1994 at Shah Alam Stadium when the entire nation jumped up with ecstasy when the Lions vanquished Pahang to win the Malaysia Cup - those images are burned into the Singapore football psyche.
These unforgettable images were flashed across the screen at the Jalan Besar Stadium yesterday, when the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced StarHub as the official broadcaster of the LionsXII's return to Malaysian football.
The four-year deal will see StarHub carry all LionsXII content on its SuperSports Arena channel and its online and mobile platforms, with MediaCorp producing all home matches.
The partnership will see MediaCorp's Channel 5 telecast one LionsXII Malaysia Super League (MSL) home match "live" each month, starting with the opening fixture against Kelantan on Tuesday.
The tie-up with FAS will also see the StarHub logo emblazoned across the LionsXII jersey as the team's principal sponsor.
"We want the Lions to roar and we want to bring that action to every home," said StarHub's chief operating officer Tan Tong Hai, who declined to reveal the monetary value of the deal.
StarHub will broadcast all LionsXII games "live" on its free SuperSports Arena Channel (112 and 201). Non-StarHub customers can tune in by setting their television sets to the VHF 76.25MHz frequency.
The matches will also be available on StarHub TV on Mobile and Internet TV. Fans can expect a 15-minute pre-show before the start of every fixture, with a highlights show also in the pipeline.
"There is a high intangible value to this deal and StarHub has taken a holistic approach that is not just about cash," said FAS president Zainudin Nordin.
StarHub will work together with the People's Association to hold community screenings of selected fixtures, starting with Jan 10's opening fixture at PA's Tyrwhitt Road headquarters, Nex shopping mall and Lot One.
In the pipeline is an iPhone app to engage fans.
The LionsXII home and away Nike kits were unveiled yesterday, with the StarHub logo splashed across the front, and more sponsor logos could find their way onto the shirt.
FAS officials revealed that a "presenting sponsor" (front of shirt) is set to be unveiled, and there is space available for a "titanium sponsor" slot on the back. The jersey will cost S$89 when it is available for purchase.
MediaCorp will telecast one 'live' Malaysia Super League home match each month
Terrestrial broadcaster MediaCorp has concluded a deal with LionsXII official broadcaster, StarHub, to produce all home matches involving V Sundramoorthy's team.The partnership will see Channel 5 telecast one "live" Malaysia Super League (MSL) home match each month, starting on Tuesday.
There will also be a "live" telecast of up to four Malaysia Cup matches (opening match, two semi-finals and final) depending on the LionsXII progress in the competition.
Ms Lim Suat Jien, executive vice-president for MediaCorp Channel 5 and okto, said: "It has been an extensive negotiation process but, with the interest of our viewers topmost on our minds, we are pleased that we will soon be able to bring back the roar to nationwide free-to-air TV, the way it was seen many years ago."
Production will be helmed by experienced and credible industry veterans, many of whom were part of the team who produced the matches involving the Lions in the 1990s.
Added Ms Lim: "There is a lot of preparation to be done but the team is raring to go. Our international-standard capability coupled with local sensitivities and passion will ensure that we will all feel the strong Singapore spirit and share every victory and heartache together.
"This will be a truly Singaporean production for a much anticipated come-back."
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