MAM
India’s chess federation seeks support for Commonwealth games
MUMBAI: The annual Commonwealth Chess Championships will be held in Mumbai from 19 April 2003 for a period of 10 days. More than 30 grandmasters (GMs) and 40 international masters (IMs) from over 58 countries will be participating in the contest which has a prize money of around Rs 1 million.
The Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA) will be responsible for organising the mega event. The association is looking for a total sponsorship of Rs 1.5 million for acquiring the sponsorship rights. It has approached software companies, soft drink companies and consumer durable companies.
For electronic coverage, MCA has plans to approach several sports channels. The national broadcaster Doordarshan, however, has access to the rights and the other channels can come in only if DD exercises its right of refusal.
MCA chairman RM Dongre says: “It is a great opportunity for advertisers. India has bagged the distinction of hosting the games. We are planning to set up kiosks all over the city of Mumbai to enable more people to participate. We are already talking to advertisers, sports channels and Internet companies for acquiring the rights of sponsorships.”
MCA has ensured the participation of Indian chess stars such as Sasikiran who won the National ‘A’ championships; National ‘A’ second ranked teenager Harikrishna; National ‘A’ third ranked D Barua; and Koneru Hampi (the teenage prodigy who is ranked amongst the Top 10 in the world) in its participant list.
Dongre adds that advertisers will definitely get mileage as the national and international media will cover the event.
The MCA also has plans to ensure that the event is incorporated in the International Open in order to encourage more internationally renowned chess players to participate in the contest and win prizes. However, these players will not be allowed to vie for the Commonwealth title – contestants who are citizens of Commonwealth countries will be allowed to bid for the same.
Media experts stated that the Internet rights are a lucrative proposition because chess contests evoke a lot of interest in the online domain. Software companies such as Wipro and Infosys have associated themselves with chess contests primarily due to the intellectual nature of the game.
Sports marketing seems to be the rise and non-cricket sports are staking their claims for advertising spends!
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
