NEW DELHI: It is understood that Cricket West Indies (CWI) had a meet and greet session with at least one prominent Indian broadcaster during their fundraising efforts in the country over the last week or so.
The likes of Chris Dehring, the chief executive officer of CWI, and Brian Lara were among the contingent who had travelled to JioStar offices in Mumbai when they were in the city before heading back to the Caribbean a few days ago. The CWI contingent may or may not have met officials from other broadcasters as well. While no deal was discussed, there were some informal talks.
Dining with an Indian broadcaster was the last in a series of commercial activities the CWI was involved in during the board's trip to India. Other activities involved having an exclusive Cricket West Indies golf day at the Qutub Golf Course in New Delhi. This function was attended by Vivian Richards, Lara, Richie Richardson and Dehring.
"The Golf Day served as part of CWI’s broader mission to strengthen its positioning as a global sporting brand and create new avenues for commercial partnerships and cross-cultural engagement," a press release said. "Even as the West Indies men’s team continues its international tour, the event symbolised CWI’s growing influence off the field — merging cricketing excellence with strategic brand alliances."
Bhumika Realty, an Indian real estate company, signed a deal to become their front of jersey sponsors for the series. It's understood that that deal was struck with just days to go for the first Test in Ahmedabad. A renewed push to attract Indian sponsors — Indian money, really — is a direct consequence of the board's emergency meeting following the Australia series. When the likes of Lara got involved, he was receptive to the idea of coming to India to meet corporates. "Firstly," Lara had posted on his Instagram after heading back to the Caribbean, "I want to express with great humility, what an honour it was to be called upon to represent West Indies cricket at such a crucial time. I understand the current struggle and the restrictive financial situation, but like our players are showing presently, if we fight hard and believe in the cause there will be a light shining at the end of the tunnel to take us through it all.
"Sometimes from the outside looking in, we assume their commitment is lacking, but we may be wrong. Often, they just need guidance. Something for CWI to consider would be having one of our greats, and we have a few, to provide a presence amongst the team. Not necessarily travel as part of the team but to be seen and to be available for our players to bounce ideas off when they are searching for inspiration and breakthroughs." Lara, one of the greatest batters of all time, is believed to be open to an Ambassadorial role, something he suggested in the same post.
Lara and Richards, who was in attendance at the Stadium before they headed back, are also believed to have spoken to the players at length. "There was a lot of positivity when they spoke to us," John Campbell, one of the two centurions, had told the media during a press conference.
