Sahara end their association with BCCI – Cricket News Update
Sahara http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 Parivar, the sponsors for the national team and the Indian Premier League franchise, Pune Warriors, have ended their association with the BCCI in a statement shortly before the final auction for the lucrative tournament.
The news has come as a surprise to many but many consider a break in the relationship between Sahara and BCCI, as the major reason for both entities going their separate ways.
The business body has diverse interest in the country where they deal in financial services, life insurances, real estate, television, film production, along with promoting sports.
They have invested heavily in the Indian team since being named sponsors in 2001, and held stakes in the newly embedded IPL franchise, Pune http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warriors-c861, which came into inception last year.
They further hold stakes in the Force One Formula 1 Indian Team and provide funding to the national hockey team. However, the major stumbling point in their affiliation with BCCI ranges to many aspects -such as the future plans of the national cricket team,
along with BCCI’s unsatisfactory stance over the running of the IPL.
Sahara wanted to have an open auction this year around in order to make sure of more marquee players for the Pune Warriors, but their request was rejected, which led them to pull out of the final auction, currently taking place in Bangalore.
They will continue to pay the respective dues for the next four months, giving time for the higher governing body to look for suitable replacements.
"We are withdrawing from all cricket under BCCI," the group stated. "However, we don't want to give any problem to the BCCI and we also feel that the players should not suffer. BCCI will definitely take 2-4 months to get a new sponsor and we will continue
paying the sponsorship money till then. All other IPL team players, coaches and other such associates will definitely get their due this year, in case they do not get a chance to play."
A full press conference will take place today at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820, where the Sahara’s Chairman is expected to unfold the whole story in detail.
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