While the Board of Control for Cricket in India may be irking a few companies partnering in the World Cup over the contentious player terms, it is also considering winning corporate loyalty by floating an exclusive tournament for them.
Though still on the drawing boards, the Corporate Cup could begin as early as April-May and may be played under floodlights, BCCI sources in Kolkata have indicated.
The Corporate Cup will invite entries from six major business houses, which can field senior Indian players or even overseas cricketers they can convince to represent them.
The corporate bonanza has been reportedly okayed by the BCCI executive committee. "Now the modalities of the tournament have to be worked out by the working committee," BCCI sources said. The working committee is slated to meet in Delhi on January 21.
The BCCI intends making the Corporate Cup an annual extravaganza for the commercial houses. This will not only ensure a good relationship between the corporate world and the board, but also bring in the moolah.
The tournament will be a money-spinner not only in terms of generating advertisement revenues, but also in the form of heavy participation fees from the corporates.
A formal announcement of the launch of the tournament may be made after the next working committee meeting in Delhi.
