Mantri hopes for improved infrastructre

'Interest generated by IPL could be put to shade by State league'

Mantri Developers earned the right after submitted a bid upwards of Rs 11 crore for a five-year period, and the CMD received the sponsorship deed from KSCA president Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar and secretary Brijesh Patel at the Chinnaswamy stadium on Tuesday evening.

Explaining the rationale behind associating themselves with the KPL, Mantri went on, “We looked at it as the appropriate platform to take our brand across the State. We are sure a big part of this sum will be utilised towards developing cricket in the districts, where there is talent aplenty.”

Patel sought to draw a parallel with the IPL, saying, “Perhaps it is a coincidence that both the IPL and the KPL are sponsored by realtors -- DLF and Mantri respectively. We want to produce a good product in KPL because the stakes are high and everyone is expecting a lot. We want the event to be pepped up so that it is one of the premier tournaments in India. Our eventual aim is to see cricketing infrastructure in all districts of Karnataka and for that, we can take the guidance of infrastructure experts Mantri.” Patel added that while the six matches in Mysore from September 18-20 will be day games, all matches at the Chinnaswamy stadium will be under lights.

“As of now, there will be double-headers on all days with the first match starting at 3.30 pm and the second at 7.30 pm. The times might be revised slightly depending on the convenience of the broadcaster. There will be an opening ceremony on September 9 between the first and second games, therefore the first match will start a little earlier.” Wadiyar stressed on the ‘transparency’ he said had characterised every single act in the lead-up to the KPL.

“That’s why we have been able to interest so many people, and that is why so many have been prepared to invest in the KPL,” he added.