IMPHAL, FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020 In the post-pandemic age, sports look to a virtual future, in real time NEW DELHI, Jun 18 stock of past learnings and experiment, but the issues we the field too,” assures challenges. were able to identify were Gudjonsson. “We will make It wasn’t long ago that the FIFA Bringing fans to the sta- numerous, such as the micro- the fan experience more excit- video game series boasted a dium phones picking up and ing. Until now the fans in the selling point in the ‘realistic Since its resumption, La streaming the sounds of a fan stadium and those watching noise’ feature; real oohs and Liga matches are being tel- slurping noodles! At the end on TV are two very separate aahs, chants, and cheers ecasted with what is an of the day, no matter what we groups. We want to connect captured by microphones augmented ‘audience’; a static do, there is an element of those two to create one huge dotted around stadiums texture that resembles a dependence on fans being audience that drives the over- worldwide. The same crowd. It only works on the mindful of manners for the all matchday experience.” recordings are now being used broadcast camera though, so sake of everyone else.” Even looking past the to enliven La Liga and Premier any jarring angle switch tears Danish Superliga club philosophical dilemmas, each League matches behind closed away the illusion and the AGF Aarhus was a lot more tech solution comes with its doors. simulated blanket of ‘fans’. successful, with giant video own challenges of accessibil- In the post-pandemic age, The virtual spectators aren’t walls showcasing supporters ity and feasibility. And the evolution of sports broad- rendered individually either, connected via Zoom. But even nobody’s yet even mentioned casting has come full circle. which means it’s just swathes their wary moderators were the athletes, who would still Cardboard cutouts, Zoom of colour (interestingly, the twice left red-faced. be playing in front of empty videoconferences, piped-in FIFA videogames do a better “I’m proud to say we only seats. video game audio, and CGI job at creating fake fans too). Broadcasters then can choose your head to look at the Hol- But the headsets are as The teething troubles of deal- had two people who were Executives have been overlays. Broadcasters and Gudjon Gudjonsson, CEO to overlay said avatars on lywood A-lister sitting next bulky as they are expensive. ing with cutouts and Zoom kicked out,” Aarhus’ media mulling innovations long be- leagues have tried out any- of OZ Sports, presents a empty seats, or instead opt to to you. Scores too are built Top-tier products range from walls have been accentuated chief Soren Carlsen says. fore the pandemic. Last thing and everything that more sophisticated option. digitise the entire stadium into into the system, you look far Rs30,000 to Rs1.5lakh. The by prankster fans.Australia’s “They were showing some decade saw Sky alone start would aid a sport-starved The company’s ‘OZ Con- a sci-fi, fantasy setting. left or far right to bring up models that require a National Rugby League had parts of the body you’re not and stop novelties such as 3D fan’s suspension of disbelief. nected Stadium’ system is A definite application of points, rebounds etc, or look smartphone to be lodged in- to rework their ‘Fan in the supposed to show.” broadcasts (self-explanatory), Next in line are AR/VR — already installed at several the technology can be cricket, up to check the scoreboard side are relatively cheaper but Stands’ initiative after card- Hitler, flashers, and loud player cams (a camera re- long the buzz acronyms of sports venues, helping out where microscopic scrutiny of and time. come with their own issues board cutouts of prolific serial slurpers are obvious detrac- mained on one player for 15 executives and entrepreneurs with services such as VAR bowling actions and batting Danny Keens, Vice Presi- of pixelation, compatibility, killer Harold Shipman and tions. But giving officials the minutes), and fan zone — — which are now touted as and player tracking. They stances remains a key part of dent of Content at NextVR and drained phone battery. Dominic Cummings — the power to pick and choose where they picked two op- game-changers for broadcast- have now developed an AR- the reportage. But unless the — the company that distrib- Mass consumption of VR much-criticised advisor to each fan inside the stadium posing supporters off the ers ravaged by empty stands enabled option that lets fans technology is able to pluck uted the VR content for NBA remains a distant dream, and British Prime Minister Boris could rob football of its het- streets to commentate on the and disrupted seasons. Ex- appear in their favourite seats. out players from a live game games, once told this paper: Sankar also points out the Johnson — made their way erogeneity. There are game. But unlike those novel- perts believe covid-19 has “We wanted to bring the and recreate them in the stu- “We are at the beginning of pressing concern of adaptabil- into the seats. To make mat- concerns that through sys- ties, AR/VR and other only accelerated the trajectory, lower leagues premium World dio, it remains a gimmick for the beginning with virtual re- ity. ters much worse, broadcasters tems such as an augmented innovations are borne out of and the crisis will drive in the Cup production experiences. controlled environments. ality. We like to say VR today “The process of engaging Fox Sports then ran a ‘com- overhaul, officials would go necessity. Will they succeed? new era of fan experience. When we started our journey Bringing stadium to the is where mobile was at the with leagues, teams, stadium edy’ sketch superimposing for an idealised projection of Gudjonsson invokes British First a crash course. Aug- imagining a youth tournament fans brick cell phone stage. The operators, broadcasters, tal- Adolf Hitler in the stands. the game, censoring ‘objec- naturalist Charles Darwin to mented Reality (AR) looking like the finals of the Basketball, by virtue of its rate of change in the technol- ent, user experience is very DDT, a Japanese pro- tionable’ chants and protests. answer. “Darwin did frame this superimposes a computer- World Cup,” says smaller scale, has long been ogy is growing critical. The sports business wrestling company, was one Case in point the pre- so perfectly when he said, ‘it is generated image on a user’s Gudjonsson. “The only thing the petri dish for broadcast- exponentially.” community is used to a cer- of the first to use Zoom to lockdown protests from not the strongest of the species view of the real world (the that was missing where the ing experiments. The NBA “From live streaming of tain way of operating. You have videoconferencing fans Bundesliga purists against that survives, nor the most in- tech that was all the rage that 60.000 spectators…” has already been telecasting immersive VR media to shar- cannot delay a game because attend their shows. President rich owners and sponsors. No telligent that survives. It is the one summer when kids ran OZ Sports thus helps con- games in VR to headset own- ing a large screen with it is taking five extra minutes Sanshiro Takagi, however, fans, no dissent. one that is the most adaptable about catching ‘Pokemon’ on jure the spectators. Fans sign ers and, more importantly, multiple people remotely to adjust a camera. And I am wasn’t left impressed by the Gudjonsson, a supporter to change,'” says Gudjonsson. their phones). VR (Virtual up on a website hosted by the treating it like an actual pro- through avatars. Covid 19 not even getting into the busi- experience. of the Iceland football team, Darwin, however, also Reality) simply creates a league or the rightsholder, and duction rather than an add-on. could be a shot in the arm for ness and rights aspects that “I feel like I now know the knows too well the impor- said: “Often a cold shudder simulated image for the user. according to branding guide- You can look around freely, these remote but immersive need to be navigated.” frustrations and struggles of tance of fan expression. has run through me, and I have But before looking ahead lines, get themselves “more follow the breakaways as experiences and as sports start What the fans want the inventor Thomas Edison,” “The rivalry and chants are asked myself whether I may at how the tech will change realistic human avatars or fan- they happen, change the angle back up across the world with Then there’s the biggest Takagi told The Indian Ex- what create the storytelling. have not devoted myself to a sports, it’s important to take tasy-themed characters.” to watch a dunk, and turn empty stadia,” says Sankar. variable — the consumers. press. “It was a fruitful Their passion is needed on fantasy.” PTI His East Bengal contract ripped, Costa EPL resumes with powerful Rica’s Johnny Acosta shelters at embassy NEW DELHI, Jun 18 the contract, and that is why anti-racism message, technical glitch he chose to come here. But BIRMINGHAM, Jun 18 and into the sidenetting of No salary, no place to stay, and this time… (they behaved dif- the goal by a teammate, with no flight tickets to return home ferently),” Rodriguez said. The referee blew his whistle, replays showing the entire – Johnny Acosta, the Costa The frustration boiled over signaling the return of soccer in ball had crossed the line. Rican football star who has after the club asked Acosta to England after a 100-day Referee Michael Oliver played in the 2014 and 2018 vacate his apartment. As per stoppage because of the didn’t award the goal, World Cups, finds himself the contract, Rodriguez said, coronavirus outbreak. though, despite the celebra- stranded in India after being East Bengal were responsible Instead of kicking the ball tions of Sheffield United’s “poorly treated” by his club. for Acosta’s accommodation inside a silent and virtually players that reverberated Acosta is currently living until May 31. empty Villa Park stadium, around the stadium. Instead, at the Costa Rican embassy in “It was strange behaviour. both sets of players from the official pointed to his New Delhi, waiting for a re- The club was asking him to Aston Villa and Sheffield watch, suggesting it hadn’t patriation flight. return the keys but was not United — along with the vibrated to signal that a goal Acosta’s manager, Jose buying him tickets. We re- coaching staffs and match had been awarded by Hawk- Luis Rodriguez, has accused fused to return anything in a officials — took a knee in a Eye. Hawk-Eye said the East Bengal of “showing no situation like this. Did they show of support for the view of its cameras had been respect” to the defender. He expect Johnny to live on the Black Lives Matter move- blocked by the players and has alleged that East Bengal streets?” Rodriguez said. ment and in honor of George team had their names re- said. “We were all going into the goal post. abruptly terminated Acosta’s East Bengal secretary Floyd. moved from the back of their the unknown today.” “This level of occlusion contract, did not pay his of Costa Rica’s group stage his return home after they had Kalyan Majumdar said the It was a poignant way to shirts and replaced with Wilder ended the game has never been seen before wages, asked him to vacate matches against Brazil, Ser- terminated contracts and re- club had “nothing to do with mark the resumption of the “Black Lives Matter.” They aggrieved that his team did in over 9,000 matches that his apartment, and did not bia, and Switzerland. The fused to pay salaries. Acosta’s contract”. Premier League. had already warmed up in not earn all three points that the Hawk-Eye Goal Line provide him with tickets to defender, who also played in “The contract says the club “His contract was not with The first match back after all-black T-shirts with “Black would have lifted Sheffield Technology system has been return home. the 2014 edition of the World is responsible for flight tick- us, it was with Quess,” the suspension finished 0-0 Lives Matter” written on United above Manchester in operation,” the company Rodriguez has threatened Cup in Brazil, was released ets from Costa Rica to Majumdar said, referring to and even though it was them, and the same words United into fifth place, which said in a statement. to take the club to FIFA, foot- by East Bengal at the end of Kolkata and from there back Quess Corp, a former inves- marred by an extraordinary were written on some of the might secure a place in next Wilder joked that Nyland ball’s international governing that season, but the Kolkata- home. It doesn’t say price or tor in East Bengal that technology glitch, it was the banners draped over seats season’s Champions League was “in the Holte End and body, for breach of his con- based club approached him amount, but says the club is formally parted ways with the opening sequence that was where fans would usually be because of the two-year Eu- eight rows back” – a refer- tract terms. East Bengal has again this year. responsible to send the player club on June 1. the most memorable mo- seated at Villa Park. ropean ban handed to ence to the giant stand to refused to acknowledge this, Costa Rica’s Johnny back home,” Rodriguez said. “As far as we are con- ment. Before the players took a second-place Manchester Villa Park behind the goal saying the player’s contract Acosta in action with Brazil’s Acosta remained in touch cerned, Johnny has gone back “Both clubs hope that the knee, a minute’s silence was City. That ban is under ap- Nyland was in.“I don’t know had been with a former inves- Neymar at the 2018 World with the Costa Rican em- to Costa Rica.” act of ‘taking a knee’ will held in tribute to those who peal. whether to laugh or cry,” he tor in the club. Cup. (Source: AP Photo) bassy, and provided When told that Acosta is send a strong message of have been killed in the pan- After 41 minutes, Shef- added. “It has been a very tough The 36-year-old’s second flight-related information to living at the embassy in New unity and amplify the many demic. There have been more field United midfielder Sheffield United climbed situation for Johnny. He was stint began in March. How- the club, Rodriguez claimed. Delhi, Majumdar said: “He messages of support from than 40,000 deaths in Britain Oliver Norwood swung a to sixth place and a point frustrated with the behaviour ever, barely a couple of However, the club’s officials can do whatever he wants.” Premier League players and alone, but soccer still made dangerous free kick into the behind Man United. of the club. Now he is feeling weeks later, all football ac- were “never willing to help”, Ajit Isaac, chairman and the wider football family,” its return after more than six-yard box of Villa’s pen- Villa stayed in next-to-last better because he is at the tivities in the country were he alleged. managing director of Quess the two teams said in a state- three months. alty area and the ball was place, a point adrift of safety. embassy in Delhi, waiting for suspended as the government “Their behaviour was sur- Corp, said: “We have nothing ment published minutes after “It was a really strange collected by backpedaling It has now played the same his humanitarian flight, most announced the lockdown. prising. Johnny’s first to do with the club so I am the act. afternoon and evening. Quite Villa goalkeeper Ørjan number of games — 29 — as likely on Saturday,” Within a month of that, East experience was nice, they de- not taking any questions on In another strong anti-rac- difficult as well,” Sheffield Nyland. However, Nyland the other teams battling Rodriguez said on behalf of Bengal prematurely termi- livered everything that was on this.” Indian Express ism message, players on each United manager Chris Wilder was bundled over the line against relegation. AP Acosta, who speaks no Eng- nated the contracts of all lish. players, citing financial con- “Johnny has played in two straints brought by the World Cups. He is a big pandemic. player in Costa Rica. At least “No one had control over they could have shown some this situation. At least we respect.” were expecting the club to Acosta is one of the high- behave properly and be car- est-paid players in the ing in a moment like this,” I-League. He came to East Rodriguez said. Bengal in July 2018 for a According to the manager, reported fee of Rs 1.36 crore Acosta’s disagreement with days after the World Cup in East Bengal began after he Russia, where he played in all asked the club to arrange for LPGA tour to resume next month OHIO, Jun 18 "Thanks in part to the gener- osity of our partners who The LPGA Tour will return could not reschedule their from its coronavirus-enforced events in 2020, we are adding hiatus next month with back-to- a valuable additional playing back tournaments in Ohio, opportunity for our LPGA officials confirmed on Tour members," LPGA Com- Tuesday. missioner Mike Whan said. A statement said the 2020 "This new event will allow season would resume with a us to test our COVID-19 three-day tournament, the protocols before we get to LPGA Drive On Champion- welcome back our fans at the ship, beginning on July 31 at Marathon LPGA Classic." Inverness Club in Toledo. That The 2020 LPGA Tour event would then be followed schedule has been hit hard by by the rescheduled Marathon the coronavirus pandemic, LPGA Classic at Highland with the last tournament in the Meadows Golf Club in calendar taking place in mid- Sylvania from August 6-9. February at the Women's The Marathon LPGA Classic Australian Open. will allow spectators on site Since then more than a following a recent approval dozen events have been from local authorities. scrapped or rescheduled, in- The new LPGA Drive On cluding the France's Evian Championship however would Championship, which was take place without fans. cancelled last week. AFP