New sponsor name approved for Indian team subject to minor change

The ICC today confirmed that it had approved the use of the name "Subrata" as sponsor for the Indian Cricket Team for the ICC Champions Trophy subject to the removal of the elements of the Sahara brand from the design for the player uniforms.

ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, said that the position of all countries playing in the Champions Trophy on the use of the name Sahara or any of the logo's or identifying marks of Sahara is very clear.

"After a long presentation from the BCCI at a special meeting of all countries in Dubai on 31 August 2002 the countries voted 12 - 1 that there was a clear conflict with Sahara and the tournament sponsor, South African Airways, because of Sahara's airline business," said Mr Speed.

"Since then, as the countries asked it to do, the ICC has been working with the BCCI to try to identify an alternate proposal from Sahara that would not create this conflict.

"We have simply sought for the BCCI to provide the ICC with a proposal that does not use any brand, name, logo or any other marketing device to associate the proposed brand with Sahara.

"Yesterday, contrary to the agreement reached by all countries in Dubai, Sahara and the BCCI announced its most recent proposal without having obtained the necessary approval of cricket's commercial partner, Global Cricket Corporation.

"Despite this, the ICC is seeking to be as accommodating as possible and has today advised the BCCI that the new brand "Subrata" is approved.

"This approval is subject to the removal from the proposed design for the player shirts of any element that is carried over from the Sahara brand."

Mr Speed also said that he thought that it would be highly appropriate for the new brand to include India's national colors.

"The use of the India's colors would be very welcome and highly appropriate. This is the national team and it should be able to use its nation's colors," said Mr Speed

"What it can't use is elements of the Sahara logo. We are simply seeking to ensure that the new brand is actually a new brand and not simply Sahara in a different form."

Brendan McClements + 44 7787 194 974