Tune into the nail-biting AFL game on Sunday with live Indian commentary 

Image Source: Essendon Football Club

Image Source: Essendon Football Club

There is no doubt that Indians love their cricket, but football is undoubtedly becoming more and more popular in the community.

And now FOX Footy has launched its Multicultural Round initiative, where Indian fans of AFL (Australian Football League) can watch Essendon Football Club’s Sunday afternoon game with Hindi and Punjabi commentary.

Held on Sunday 20th July from 4:37pm until 7:25pm, fans can tune into FOX Footy and simply press the RED button on their remote.

ps We just tuned into the live broadcast, and Essendon players Nick Kommer and Alex Browne greeted viewers with traditional phrases ‘satsriakal’ and ‘salaam namaste’.. Well done boys! #LoveIt

Well done boys! Essendon players Nick Komme & Alex Browne have already popped into the commentary booth and greeted fans with traditional Hindi/Punjabi phrases

More details from the official Essendon Football Club press release:

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.”

o 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.”