As a feature of Multicultural Round, Indian AFL fans will be able to watch Essendon Football Club’s Sunday afternoon game on FOX Footy with Hindi and Punjabi commentary by simply PRESSING RED.
PRESS RED: EMBRACING INDIA will broadcast the game in the two biggest Indian dialects LIVE from 4.37pm.
Essendon has established itself as the AFL club of choice for Melbourne’s Indian community and PRESS RED: EMBRACING INDIA is another example of the club’s ongoing commitment to grow its relationship with the Indian community.
PRESS RED: EMBRACING INDIA will feature the experienced call team of broadcaster and presenter Manpreet Singh, radio broadcaster Gurtej Singh and special commentary from Essendon captain and AFL multicultural round ambassador Jobe Watson as well as a Tom Bellchambers and Alex Browne.
Manpreet Singh said PRESS RED: EMBRACING INDIA was a fantastic initiative by the Essendon Football Club.
“I think this is brilliant, and I think this is the best way to welcome new communities into a game like AFL Footy,” Singh said.
“It is going to be such an exciting game, not just to watch but commentate it and translate it for our Indian Australians.”
Gurtej Singh called last year’s AFL Grand Final in Punjabi and said he was looking forward to making his TV debut.
“I’m a big fan of Anthony Hudson, I try to copy him and I love his accent, he’s full of energy,” Gurtej said.
“I think the Indian fans will love this, it’s excellent, it is a good way to attract other communities to the footy.”
While not fluent in Hindi or Punjabi Jobe said he was looking forward to his role in the special comments chair.
“The club has a strong connection with the Indian community and I think this is a great way to not only embrace multicultural round but to make AFL more accessible to a large portion of our community who clearly love the game,” Jobe said.
“I have done a little bit of special commentary work in the past, and I’m sure Alex and Tom will be able to step up and give our Indian fans a rare insight into the game.”
To coincide with Multicultural Round Essendon has also officially launched its own Indian Hub on the club website.
The Hub will feature articles, player profiles and videos in Hindi for the club’s passionate Indian Bomber supporters.
Essendon has employed an Indian intern, Amandeep Singh, to work with the media team to produce engaging and entertaining content.
Amandeep said the new Indian Hub was a great way to connect with a passionate footy audience.
“I’m really excited to be a part of this new initiative taken on by the Essendon Football Club, and I can’t wait to provide the Indian community with a rare insight into this great footy club,” Singh said.
“Given the growing Indian population in Melbourne, and their love of footy, the Indian Hub is a great way to engage with the Indian community, and who knows maybe we’ll see an Indian superstar playing in the red sash one day.”
To find out more about Amandeep and the new Indian Hub, click here.
