IPL: In a first, BCCI & Saudi Arabia Tourism join hands to strengthen cricket ties between two countries

New Delhi, Feb 16: In a first, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has struck a new deal with the Saudi Tourism Authority as a sponsor for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The partnership, which was announced by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, means the IPL will be for the first time sponsored by a government body of a foreign country.

 

"Today Saudi Arab tourism authority joined hands with @BCCI as sponsor in @IPL to strengthen cricket ties between the two countries. BCCI secretary @JayShah announced the partnership in presence of STA president along with me & @ShelarAshish," Shukla tweeted.

 

 

BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar said: "Honoured to join @bcci secretary @JayShah ji and VP @ShuklaRajiv ji for the official announcement of a unique partnership of Tata IPL & Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). #BCCI."

 

The 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League is likely to begin at the end of March. During the IPL mini-auction in December 2022, 10 teams purchased 80 players after spending a total of INR 164.5 crore in Kochi.