The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has struck a new deal, roping in the Saudi Tourism Authority as a sponsor for the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The partnership, which was announced by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, means the IPL will be for the first time sponsored by a government body of a foreign country.
“Today Saudi Arab tourism authority joined hands with @BCCI as sponsor in @IPL to strengthen cricket ties between the two countries. BCCI secretary @JayShah announced the partnership in presence of STA president along with me & @ShelarAshish,” Shukla tweeted.
Jay Shah, Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India said, “Over the years, we have seen the Indian Premier League emerge as a dominant force at the global stage, generating strong appeal in the sporting ecosystem. For us, it’s an exciting prospect that Saudi Tourism Authority has immense faith in the power of IPL to bring countries together. We believe that the partnership will help promote Saudi’s unique and diverse offering and position it as the leading leisure and tourism destination in the world. This partnership will create newer opportunities for cricket in Saudi and strengthen the sport in the region.”
Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of Board of Control for Cricket in India said, “We are pleased to welcome Saudi Tourism Authority on board as an official sponsor for the 2023 edition of the IPL. The IPL partnership is a powerful channel to engage with its vast audience and support Saudi Tourism Authority’s objective of creating brand awareness in India as well as among the fans from the entire cricketing world. We hope that through this partnership, we inspire and grow the cricket fanbase in Saudi and in collaboration with STA, create exciting opportunities for them to engage with the game.”
Ashish Shelar, Honorary Treasurer, of Board of Control for Cricket in India said “Our association with the Saudi Tourism Authority is a testament to the global appeal of the Indian Premier League. As each season passes by, the league has been consistently registering an uptick in its global fan base, expanding its geographical footprint. We believe this association will offer an opportunity for the sport to strengthen cricketing culture as well as the fan base in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are confident that this collaboration will prove to be fruitful.”
Saudi is a diverse destination with rich cultural, historical and spiritual sites. Saudi recently announced that Indian visitors are eligible for the Stopover Visa, which will allow passengers traveling to a final destination on SAUDIA or Flynas to visit Saudi for up to 96 hours. A complimentary hotel night on Saudia is included.
