The Indian Rugby Football Union, the governing body of rugby union in the country, has agreed sponsorship deals with French financial services group Societe Generale, German sportswear manufacturer Puma and solar energy company Proinso.
Societe Generale will serve as the body’s main sponsor and has agreed a three-year deal, which will run until 2019. The company will provide support to India’s national teams across all age groups and disciplines and will offer funding for grassroots initiatives.
Puma has agreed a deal, the length of which was not disclosed, to provide the playing kits for India’s national teams.
Proinso will provide backing for the IRFU’s development programmes and support the body in its bid to further raise the profile of the sport in the country. The length of Proinso's deal was not disclosed.
Rugby is growing in popularity in India and Aga Hussein, vice-president of the Asia Rugby governing body, told the Times of India newspaper that the country could become one of the top-five-ranked teams on the continent within five years if it continues to receive the same level of financial backing. India is currently ranked 12th of the 32 Asian countries.