Mantri wins title sponsorship rights of KPL for Rs 11.11 crore

Bangalore-based real estate player Mantri Developers has picked up the title sponsorship of Karnataka Premier League, a Twenty20 tournament on the lines of IPL, for five years for Rs 11.11 crore.

The event would now be called Mantri KPL Cup, Karnataka State Cricket Association Secretary Brijesh Patel said at a ceremony where the title sponsorship rights were handed over to Sushil Mantri, Chairman and Managing Director of Mantri.

The KPL is slated to be held from September 9 to 23. Bangalore would host 25 matches and Mysore six.

Mantri saw his company's investment as a good opportunity to expand its brand in entire Karnataka. "We are looking to expand into cities such as Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad and Belgaum," he said.

Eight highest bidders were identified earlier this month, winning rights to own as many teams, with the organisers KSCA set to garner around Rs 35 crore over a five-year period.

Real estate firms are ruling the roost at KPL. Of the eight, three top bids came from them -- Brigade Group (Bangalore Urban; Rs 7.2 crore), Puravankara Projects' subsidiary Melmont Constructions (Bangalore Rural team; Rs 5.5 crore) and Fizza Developers (Mangalore team; Rs 4.23 crore).

Patel said the matches would be held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. While it would be day-matches in Mysore,Bangalore would host two matches in a day--one between 3.30 pm and 7 pm, and another between 7.30 pm and 10.30 pm.