Pune chosen due to the city’s better infrastructure, says Sahara; Rendezvous investors looking at different revenue models.
Shashi Tharoor did not exactly issue a clarion call saying ‘Keralites of the world unite’ but he meant as much when he spoke to this newspaper about Rendezvous Sports World’s successful IPL bid.
“I hope the people of Kerala all over India and particularly in Dubai will extend whole-hearted support to Rendezvous,” the Union minister said.
His role was, however, limited. “I was just a mentor. All I did was offer moral support, blessings and encouragement to the bid. I did not have any further role,” he told DNA from Kerala.
“My primary interest is development of my state and this IPL bid can lead to development.”
On how the consortium will cobble up such a huge sum to maintain the side, the minister was emphatic in his reply. “I’m counting on support from Keralites in Dubai and Gulf. I’m confident they will pull it off.”
But he won’t be involved in the functioning of the team or its name. “It’s up to Shailendra Gaekwad who is the CEO. It’s up to him and his partners. I once mentioned Travancore Tigers but it’s up to them.”
Tharoor was also confident that the creation of an IPL team will revive the game in his state. “In my days Kerala was not such a major force. But now it should become a force to reckon with in Indian cricket,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sahara said it was “honoured” to be part of the IPL.
“IPL has emerged as a healthy mix of commercial and cricket passion and a venue for nourishing young talent. Our involvement with IPL, beyond business, is also a manifestation of our commitment towards promoting sports and encouraging the youngsters towards sports,” communication head Abhijit Sarkar, who represented Sahara at the auction on Sunday, said. Sahara
Adventure Sports had bid for Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Pune but eventually decided on Pune.
“We chose the city on the basis of infrastructure,” Sarkar said. Sahara has been sponsoring the Indian team for five years. So will they continue its association with the Men in Blue now that they have a team? “I’m sure they will,” said a top official of Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Cricket Association has promised to roll out a red carpet for Sahara. “I had an initial discussion with Sarkar in Chennai and we’re looking forward to working with them for a long time,” MCA president Ajay Shirke said.
Meanwhile, Vivek Venugopal, an individual investor in Rendezvous, said the consortium is looking at a varied revenue model.
“We are like any of the other franchisee and we have worked out a range of revenue streams. We are not going to focus on just one method to generate our income. We are looking at sponsorships and gate revenues. We are also looking at innovative ways of marketing ourselves,” Venugopal told DNA just after the bidding process.
He said discussions on team selection process are on. “Discussions are on. A lot of names are being thrown up but we have not arrived at anything conclusive. The process will begin soon,” he added.
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