Bharti Airtel has joined hands with Formula One Group Companies to announce Airtel Grand Prix of India to be held from 28-30 October, 2011. The brand has come on board as the ‘Title Partner’ for the event which will be held at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Announcing the association, Sanjay Kapoor, chief executive officer - India and South Asia, Bharti Airtel said “Airtel, with its 200 million plus customers which significantly represent the young and vibrant population, is delighted to be affiliated with F1 to bring this international sports event to India for the time first time ever.”
“Right through its growth path, Airtel has been associated with speed, performance, calculated risks and excitement, the very words that spring to mind when you think of Formula One. Hence, it is only natural that Airtel and Formula One together bring to life the dreams of millions of young and passionate sports enthusiasts in India, giving them an opportunity of a lifetime to watch the very first Airtel Grand Prix of India in person,” he added.
Commenting on the announcement, Bernie Ecclestone, group chief executive officer, Formula One, said “I am very pleased with our association with Bharti Airtel which has demonstrated that they are the very forward thinking company that I believe and was the reason for seeking their help in promoting Formula One in India. We are very good partners as we both project the same forward thinking.”
In another development, Airtel recently pulled out from their sponsorship of the Champions League Twenty20 tournament. According to media reports, the telecom player had signed a five-year deal reportedly worth $40 million to sponsor the event in 2009, but withdrew its sponsorship two years into the deal. Sundar Raman, chief executive officer of the tournament, had tweeted on 10 August about Nokia signing up as the title sponsor for the tournament. Further details are awaited.
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