Emirates to sponsor IPL franchise Deccan Chargers

Saturday, 31 March 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Emirates, the international airline which serves India with 185 weekly flights has strengthened its commitment to the country by becoming the Team Sponsor of IPL side Deccan Chargers. Emirates, which connects 10 points in India with flights to Dubai and its global network spanning six continents, will be supporting the Hyderabad-based club, which won the IPL in 2009, for their forthcoming season.

“We are honoured to be joining forces with the Deccan Chargers and partnering with the team for the next three IPL campaigns,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Vice President India and Nepal, at a press conference in Hyderabad to announce the agreement. “India is a vital market for Emirates and we recognise the huge role it has played in our development, from the employees who make up almost 25% our workforce to the millions of Indian passengers who book with us every year.”

“Through this sponsorship we have the chance to connect with the people who we connect to 122 destinations and show our ongoing commitment to a nation which Emirates has been serving since we began operating in 1985,” added Orhan Abbas. “It is also a tremendous opportunity for us to further strengthen our support of a sport which the people of India follow with renowned passion. The IPL has rapidly established itself as a spectacle of sport and entertainment followed by billions around the globe and will provide Emirates a platform to consolidate our position as a world force in sports sponsorship.”

The Deccan Chargers – starting their title challenge against the Chennai Superkings in Vizag on 7th April - will feature a host of household names, including Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who will captain the side, South African stars JP Duminy and Dale Steyn, as well as Indian wicketkeeper/batsman Parthiv Patel. The event in Hyderabad – which Emirates has been operating to since 2001 - was attended by vice-captain Cameron White, head coach Darren Lehmann and their fellow Australian Daniel Harris, as well as Indian stars Patel, Shikhar Dhawan, Amit Mishra and Manpreet Gony, who had the honour of unveiling the 2012 home kit.

“We are proud to have a leading global brand like Emirates as our Team Sponsor for the next three seasons of the IPL. We are confident this association with Emirates will be fruitful. With an exciting new squad and sponsor, we look forward to the tournament and repeating our winning performance in DLF IPL 2012,” said Deccan Chargers co-owner Ms Gayatri Reddy, who was joined at the press conference by COO Venkat Reddy.