Top teams from seven countries will lock horns in the inaugural Airtel Champions League Twenty20 2009 from Thursday. This two-week cricket fiesta will be brought live on ART Prime Sport to Pehla Gold, Silver and Firstnet Premium subscribers, according to an announcement by Arab Digital Distribution (ADD). The Champion's League features a total of 23 matches to be played in two phases over 16 days at three venues – Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi – with Indian Premier League-II (IPL-II) runner-up Royal Challengers Bangalore taking on South Africa's Cape Cobras in the opening match at Bangalore on Oct. 8. Commenting on the championship Alwyn Rodrigues, Senior Regional Manager, Marketing & Business Development, said, “Airtel CLT20 brings together the world's top international clubs in a tournament that reflects cricket's global appeal and is a test between the best of best. That's what we at ADD seek to achieve – bring the best of the best sporting action for our viewers and subscribers from across the world, whether it is cricket, football, tennis, motorsports or golf. It is always our endeavor to keep our sport-loving clientele tuned in to the world of sport.” Airtel Champions League T20 is a platform for these top international clubs to perform at the highest level, preparing players for the next step – representing and performing for their countries. The teams are divided into four groups of three each in the first group phase of the event, to be held from Oct. 8 to 14. The top two teams from each group in round one qualify for the second league phase, to be held from Oct. 15 to 19. The 12-teams would be competing for a glittering 1.5-foot tall diamond-studded trophy and a prize money pool of $6 million, the single largest pool for any cricket tournament so far. The winner gets $2.5 million and the runners-up $1.3 million while the losing semifinalists would be richer by $500,000 each. Teams in the fifth to eighth positions would get $200,000 each and the bottom four would pocket $100,000 apiece. The three Indian teams include IPL II champion Deccan Chargers Hyderabad, runner-up Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils. Other 2009 domestic finalists and winners include: Victoria and New South Wales from Australia, Cape Cobras and Eagles from South Africa, Otago from New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago from West Indies, Wayamba from Sri Lanka, Sussex Sharks and Somerset Sabres from England.
