Cricket Ireland announces 10-year commercial deal with Indian conglomerate

Cricket Ireland has announced a 10-year multi-million euro sponsorship deal with an Indian conglomerate.

The Shapoorji Pallonji Group is "investing in the future of Irish cricket" and will become an "official partner" to Cricket Ireland. As part of the deal the association's academy will be renamed the 'Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy'.

The multinational - founded in 1865 and with construction, real estate, infrastructure, biofuels and agriculture, water treatment, oil and gas among its interests - is owned by the Mistry family, Irish citizens based in Mumbai, according to Cricket Ireland.

Announcing the deal alongside Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohue at Trinity College today, chairman of the group Shapoor Mistry said the partnership is 'a token of gratitude towards Ireland', and that academy cricketers can take the Irish game to the next level.

The Academy will aim to provide a “holistic, player-centered programme” that will allow talented male and female cricketers achieve their potential and enhance Cricket Ireland’s status on the international stage. There will be 22 players brought into the academy in the inaugural induction.

"The development of our next generation of international cricketers in the national academy is one of our most important tasks, and requires significant investment, understanding and an ability to take the long view", said Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom. "In the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, we are immensely proud to have found the perfect partner to share that vision, and help us mould our nation's cricketing future for at least the next 10 years.

“We are also proud that Shapoorji Pallonji Group’s investment in cricket’s national academy represents the organisation’s and the Mistry family’s inaugural investment in Ireland, which we believe reflects our joint commitment to supporting the cause of ‘Ireland Inc’.

“We are delighted to welcome Shapoorji Pallonji Group to the Irish cricket family and look forward to developing not just our players but our relationship, and that of Ireland and India, over the next decade.”

Head of commercial operations for Cricket Ireland Dennis Cousins added that the group can "leverage their association with the Irish cricket team worldwide in territories where Shapoorji Pallonji and Cricket Ireland share a global footprint."