Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Tharoor swings willow for $333-m Kochi IPL team

Co-author of a book on India-Pakistan cricket Shashi Tharoor has given a business spin to his writer-turned-politician career, spindoctoring a consortium Rendezvous Sports World Ltd that bagged a cricket team for Kochi in Indian Premier League (IPL). Rendezvous, spearheaded by Mumbai-based Shylendra Gaekwad and Gulf-based Vivek Venugopal, was jubiliant in its $333.33 million (Rs 1,533.33 crore) to get Kochi, one of the two new IPL teams from the next season.

Initially Bollywood filmmaker Priyadarshan and Malayalam screen idol Mohanlal was prepared to be part of the Kerala team bidding for IPL. Later, when IPL had raised some caveats, they had backed off. “Since the final shape of the team is yet to be concrete, I am keeping fingers crossed that they may once again come to the picture. No reason, why they cannot,” minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor told FE. “However, the ball is not in my court and the right people will make the decision in right time,” he hastened to add.

Full report here Financial Express

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