By
Tricitynews
Chandigarh 21st September:- Indian multinational Balkrishna Industries Ltd.
(BKT) has become the first sub-continent group to partner with the KFC Big Bash
League (BBL), signing on today for three years as the new Off-Highway tyre
supplier.
BKT tyres have been available in Australia through its Australian
distributor Tradefaire for almost a decade, providing large-scale tyres to our
farmers and in the mining sector.
As part of today’s BBL announcement, BKT and Tradefaire handed over cheques
totaling $30,000 to provide support to the Australian charities, particularly
the struggling farming community. A $20,000 cheque was given to Aussie Helpers,
a charity based in Gunnedah in New South Wales which assists struggling
farmers, and $10,000 to Ronald McDonald House in Tamworth.
Today’s partnership announcement was held at the home of Australian
cricket, the MCG, and attended by Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting, executives
from BKT in India including its Joint Managing Director Rajiv Poddar, Cricket
Australia Head of Big Bash Leagues, Kim McConnie and Hari Parsad, India’s Acting Counsel General in Melbourne.
The event was hosted by high-profile Indian actress, fashion designer and
television presenter Mandira Bedi.
Rajiv Poddar, an ardent cricket fan, said that he is really glad about this
partnership since cricket has been his great passion ever. Being able to
support it and cheer at a close makes us proud. Not only do we appreciate its
dynamics, but also the team play and above all the spirit of the game ruling
this sport, or else the unwritten fair play every player adheres to. On the
contrary, unfair play means a damage for the game itself. Here in BKT, we have
the same philosophy: to do our best paying full respect to everybody.
Kim McConnie said that we are very excited to be welcoming BKT as a partner
of the KFC Big Bash League as we draw closer to the highly anticipated BBL|08
season. BKT’s decision to come on board as a supplier of the BBL shows the
growing appeal of the competition not just in Australia but overseas as well,
and also demonstrates the value partners see in being associated with
Australia’s most exciting sporting league.
Steve Ryan, the General Manager of Tradefaire, said that this agreement is
invaluable and unprecedented. Australia’s passion for cricket is timeless.
During summer all parks become crowded with children and teenagers playing
cricket whilst enthusiastic parents keep up with the game from the sidelines.