By Abhishek Roy,IANS,
New Delhi : Delhi-born Non-Resident Indian (NRI) businessman Vikas Rambal, who has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Western Australia Cricket Association(WACA) Twenty20 team Waca Warriors, is now planning to buy out the beleaguered Indian Premier League (IPL) team Deccan Chargers.
Waca Warriors, who will be playing in the Twenty20 Champions League in December, will now be known as the Rambal Warriors.
The Perth-based Rambal, chairman of the North West Chemicals and Fertilizers, got into cricket sponsorship last year when he sponsored former Australian cricketer Tom Moody to stay at WACA as coach-cum-manager.
Making light of the global economic meltdown, Rambal justified his forays into cricket sponsorship in a big way.
“The sports industry hasn’t been affected much. Moreover, our aim is not to generate revenue alone. We have twin objectives — to build a brand value in Australia and community development. Apart from fulfilling our objectives, I feel we will also be generating revenue from the venture,” Rambal told IANS over phone from Perth.
He declined to reveal the value of the deal, but his elder brother Manoj said it was about A$6 million.
Having missed the opportunity to bid for an IPL franchise, the NRI businessman is now keen on owning Deccan Chargers.
“IPL happened all of a sudden, we had no plans then. But after its immense success the league is here to stay. Now there is an opportunity to buy a team and I have asked my public relation team to work out the modalities. We don’t want to miss out this time,” he said.
With the Champions League slated for Dec 3, Rambal feels the tournament would be the first big test for him.
“The Champions League will be the first big test for me and my team. With players like Mike Hussey and Shaun Marsh in the ranks, I think Rambal Warriors have a good chance of winning the league,” he said.
Asked about Hussey, who played for Chennai Super Kings, who have qualified for the Champions League, Rambal said: “Hussey will play for my team, there is no question about that.”