Indiantelevision.com Team

(16 April 2008 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Credit card major Mastercard which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in India has announced that it will be the founding sponsor for Reliance's Mumbai Indians IPL team.

Mastercard says that this sponsorship is in keeping with its deep rooted commitment in India as well as its history of sponsoring global sporting events.

Mastercard says that this sponsorship gives it the opportunity to connect with cricket fans. Mumbai is the financial capital of India and is aligned with Mastercard's mission of advancing commerce around the world.

In addition a recent Mastercard study shows that Mumbai is among the 50 global centers of commerce. So the sponsorship of Mumbai Indians is an endorsement of the city's role in commerce.

Mastercard Worldwide GM South Asia Nitin Gupta says, "It gives me immense pleasure to announce Mastercard as the preferred Card and founding sponsor of the Mumbai Indians team.

"Over the last 25 years Mastercard has committed itself to accelerating business in India through fueling economic connections that drive real value for commercial development at a global and local level. The sponsorship further strengthens the connections that Mastercard has with the people of India in the country and abroad as well as with cricket lovers around the world."

Reliance Retail president and CMO R Balachandran says, "We are very happy to partner Mastercard Worldwide in an event which is set to usher in a new cricket era. I am sure that the partnership will be mutually beneficial and Mastercard, which is internationally known for their association with major world class events, including leading soccer clubs, will continue its association with Mumbai Indians for a long time to come. With their strong presence in India, I am positive that this tie-up will see a win-win situation for both."

Mastercard will run a Priceless Catch Contest. Spectators who make a clean catch from a six hit during home games will win a cricket ball autographed by Sachin Tendulkar.