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New Delhi, February ,4th
The Indian cricket team’s long-time sponsor Sahara India on Friday ended financial ties with the BCCI and also pulled out of the IPL by withdrawing from Pune Warriors’ ownership just before the players’ auction.Sahara, which has been the team sponsor for 11 years, signed a contract with the BCCI on July 1, 2010 till December 31, 2013.
Sahara was paying Rs 3.34 crore per Test match, one-day international and Twenty20 International under the new terms.“...after an 11-year voyage as sponsors, we can say with surety that cricket has become very rich. Many rich people are there to support cricket with a strong will to do so. So, with absolute peace of mind we can exit from cricket under the BCCI and with a heavy heart,” according to Sahara India .Sahara said it would develop “20 Rural/Semi Urban Sports Promotional Centres including Rural/Semi Urban Cricket promotional Centres.”“Centres will have diversified sports disciplines viz. cricket, hockey, soccer, formula1, tennis, golf, wrestling, boxing etc. One international standard sports academy shall immediately be developed at one point in India. All best selected students shall ultimately come to this International Class Sports Academy.”Sahara also announced that a support fund for old (retired) and present players who, at times, face “miserable days regarding medical bills, girls marriage, shelter etc.”
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