BKT and Tradefaire partners with BBL
INDIAN multinational Balkrishna Industries (BKT) has become the first sub-continent group to partner with the KFC Big Bash League (BBL), signing on for three years as the new Off-Highway tyre supplier.
BKT tyres have been in Australia through its Australian distributor Tradefaire for almost a decade, providing large scale tyres to farmers and the mining sector.
As part of the announcement, BKT and Tradefaire handed over cheques totalling $30,000 to provide support to Australian charities, particularly the struggling farming community.
A $20,000 cheque was given to Aussie Helpers, which is based in Charleville in remote QLD and assists struggling farmers, and $10,000 to Ronald McDonald House in Tamworth.
The 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 BBL Kim McConnie, and India’s acting counsel general in Melbourne.
High-profile Indian actress, fashion designer and television presenter Mandira Bedi hosted the event.
BKT’s decision to partner with the BBL was motivated by the group’s passion and enthusiasm for cricket and the BBL’s alignment to BKT’s ‘ Growing Together’ philosophy.
Specifically in this case, the philosophy meant supporting and sustaining cricket in Australia in order to see talent grow and attract attention for the competition on an international level – not least of all thanks to BKT’s presence in 160 countries globally.
BKT’s Mr Poddar, an ardent cricket fan, said he was glad about the partnership since cricket had always been his great passion.
“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,” Mr Poddar said.
“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.”
BBL’s Ms McConnie said BBL was excited to be welcoming BKT as a partner of the KFC Big Bash League as it drew 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,” Ms McConnie said.
Tradefaire general manager Steve Ryan said the agreement was invaluable and unprecedented.
“Australia’s passion for cricket is timeless,” Mr Ryan said.
“During summer all parks become crowded with children and teenagers playing cricket while enthusiastic parents keep up with the game from the sidelines.
“Standing by the KFC Big Bash League, being associated to both its name and activities as well as benefitting from the high levels of media attention, especially on TV, will certainly make the brand awareness of BKT in Australia fly high.”