The BLACKCAPS will have a new sponsor’s name on their playing shirts this summer with the signing of a multi-million dollar agreement with Dubai-based company Dheeraj and East Coast LLC (DEC).
DEC joins The National Bank as sponsors of New Zealand Cricket in this three-year deal, with DEC as the new sponsor of the BLACKCAPS, with the Bank retaining sponsorship of the National Bank Series.
Dheeraj and East Coast (DEC) is a renowned real estate developer with an array of world-class projects. DEC is a joint venture between Dheeraj Constructions, India and East Coast LLC, Dubai. The company is working on 23 projects worth US $1.7 billion in the UAE at the moment.
Dheeraj Wadhwan, managing director, Dheeraj and East Coast LLC, said that his company can see tremendous benefits in being associated with such a high profile cricket side as the BLACKCAPS.
"Cricket has boomed in the last few years and the geographic spread of the sport fits nicely with our growth plans. We are looking at shortly launching exclusive fashion branded projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while next year we will unveil projects in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
"The fact that India tours New Zealand early next year is another plus, especially with the media exposure that those matches will get throughout India and the Middle East," he said.
The addition of DEC to the lineup of sponsors is the result of the close and long-standing relationship between New Zealand Cricket and The National Bank.
Justin Vaughan, CEO of New Zealand Cricket, said that the new deal with DEC gives NZC the benefits of an international sponsor, while allowing The National Bank to retain its connection with professional cricket though its sponsorship of the Series, and to invest in the grass-roots and community elements of the game here in New Zealand.
Jenny Fagg, Managing Director of The National Bank, said that the bank had worked closely with Justin and his team to help New Zealand Cricket take advantage of the opportunities presented by the global increase in popularity of the game.
"New Zealanders have a great attachment to cricket and this new configuration allows us to focus our energies on sponsoring cricket here in our home marketplace of New Zealand," says Ms Fagg.
Both agreements run through until October 2011.
