AIFF trying to secure Oman telecast after agreeing terms for UAE game

The federation is trying to broadcast the Indian football team's international friendlies on live television for fans in the country.

The Indian football team led by head coach Igor Stimac will return to the pitch after a 16-month long break on Thursday, when they take on Oman in an international friendly. They will also face the UAE in another friendly fixture four days later, on March 29. Meanwhile, Khel Now understands that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) are trying their very best to secure the telecast of the Oman game, having already secured one for the UAE match.

On Sunday, a senior official at AIFF informed Khel Now that the broadcast rights of the Oman Vs India game lie with Oman TV.

“Broadcast rights lie with Oman TV for the Oman game. Despite several attempts to communicate with the network, including follow-ups and emails, no response has been received so far. The Indian FA are now working with their Omani counterparts to find a solution to the impasse," the functionary exclusively told Khel Now on condition of anonymity.

We also understand that both of India's friendly games against Oman and the UAE are being produced by BeIN Sports and that the deal for telecasting the UAE match in India has already been secured.

"In the case of the Oman game, telecast rights lie with Oman TV, even though the feed is being produced by BeIN Sports. That is the reason why AIFF had to communicate with them and later with the Oman FA for telecast rights when the former failed to respond. Meanwhile, the deal for broadcasting the UAE match is already secured, with final agreement signing pending" a source close to the developments informed Khel Now.

Earlier, we had revealed how AIFF were hard at work to try and telecast both friendlies in India after they failed to communicate effectively with Indian broadcasters. In a more shocking development, we also learned that a third party was involved in the broadcast impasse.

And now, even after say the paperwork for both the matches broadcast rights are completed, it remains to be seen as to which Indian broadcaster will agree to showcase the feed and also if there will be enough time to promote the game through TV campaigns and promotions. As mentioned in the beginning, India take on Oman on March 25, which means that only four days remain for all these to be done.