Irish cricket signs multi-million euro 10-year sponsorship deal

IRISH CRICKET HAS been given a huge boost today with the announcement of a multi-million Euro 10-year sponsorship deal with Indian investors.

The multinational Indian conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji Group is investing in the future of Irish cricket and will take up naming rights for the Cricket Ireland Academy which will now be known as the ‘Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy’.

In addition to holding the naming rights to the Cricket Ireland Academy, Shapoorji Pallonji will also become an official partner to Cricket Ireland.

The multi-national company is owned by the Mistry family – who are an Irish family based in Mumbai in India. Shapoorji Pallonji is a diversified business group based in India.

The partnership was announced today at Trinity College by The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Paschal Donohue TD.

Mr. Shapoor Mistry, Chairman, Shapoorji Pallonji Group of Companies said that as Irish citizens, he feels this is a small contribution as a token of gratitude towards Ireland. The development of the academy will help Irish cricket create a pipeline of world class cricketers.


Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom welcomed the deal saying: “The development of our next generation of international cricketers in the national academy is one of our most important tasks, and requires significant investment, understanding and an ability to take the long view”.

“In the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, we are immensely proud to have found the perfect partner to share that vision, and help us mould our nation’s cricketing future for at least the next 10 years.”

Although it is not as significant as it sounds, any funding is right now welcome for Irish cricket. The funding amounts to some €200,000 per year, with an initial amount of €500,000 paid up front.  But it will be of no use to the Irish cricket, if the young talented players who graduate out of this academy are poached by England.