Cricket Ireland strikes major deal with Indian firm

The Cricket Ireland national governing body has struck a 10-year “multi-million euro” partnership with Indian conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji Group.

Under the deal, the Indian company will acquire the naming rights to the Cricket Ireland Academy, which will now be known as the Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy.

Cricket Ireland’s head of commercial Dennis Cousins said: “In addition to the Academy naming rights partnership, Shapoorji Pallonji will also benefit by becoming one of an increasing number of official partners to Cricket Ireland. This will enable the SP Group to leverage their association with the Irish cricket team worldwide in territories where Shapoorji Pallonji and Cricket Ireland share a global footprint. Irish cricket teams participate regularly in tournaments in countries where SP have a presence, including India, Sri Lanka, UAE and West Indies amongst others.

“In an unprecedented year of cricket for Ireland, the SP Group will also have plenty of opportunities to leverage the partnership in advance of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in New Zealand/Australia and when Ireland take on both England and Australia on home turf next year.”

Shapoorji Pallonji is owned by the Mistry family, an Irish family who are based in the Indian city of Mumbai.