Apollo Tyres: Second Indian football sponsorship

Days after announcing its sponsorship of Chennai-based club Chennaiyin FC, Apollo Tyres has shared details of a new agreement with Minerva Punjab FC (MPFC). Under a five-year contract, the tyre maker will act as title sponsor to the Mohali-based club. MPFC plays in the Hero I-League, which along with the Indian Super League is one of two premier football leagues in the country.

Commenting on the association, Satish Sharma, president of Apollo Tyres Ltd.’s Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa region, said: “It would be our pleasure to be associated with Minerva Punjab FC and contribute to Indian sports, especially at the grassroots level of football, where MPFC is already doing a fantastic job. This will also help us connect and engage with the fans of this club in the northern part of the country.”

“Minerva Punjab FC is a brand-new team of youngsters looking to make their presence felt in the top footballing contests of India,” added Ranjit Bajaj, owner and chief executive officer of MPFC. “It gives us immense pleasure to be able to partner with the country’s leading tyre maker Apollo Tyres and bring them on board as our title sponsors. They have already been associated with some of the biggest clubs in world football, and we are delighted by this opportunity and look forward to a great season together.”

Founded in 2005 as Minerva Academy and in the I-League since the previous season, MPFC is currently equal ninth in the ten-club championship.