Kingfisher to sponsor Baichung Bhutia

The Indian football team captain Baichung Bhutia has been roped in by Kingfisher as its brand ambassador.

"We will sponsor Bhutia for a period of two years starting August 9, 2002," said General Marketing Manager (Breweries Division) Ramesh Vishwanathan of the UB Group, the owner of Kingfisher brand.

Vishwanathan said the agreement to this effect has been signed and a campaign with Bhutia shot.

He did not reveal the details of the agreement.

A campaign was shot in Kolkata, a few days ago, and would be shortly out, he said. "It is a completely new campaign."

The nimble-footed Sikkimese, who announced his return to Indian club soccer on August 13 was the first Indian footballer to play in the English professional league when he registered with second division side Bury FC three years back.

He will be wearing Mohun Bagan's maroon and green jersy for the next one year.

With this UB Group Chairman Vijay Mallaya's association with this football crazy state has reached a new high.

The liquor baron spent his childhood in Kolkata and his love for football prompted him to sponsor both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, the two ace football clubs in the country.

Bhutia last month sent a letter to the All India Football Federation seeking international transfer from Bury FC after the expiry of his three-year contract with the club.

Incidentally, Bury has been relegated to the third division of the English professional league this season.

The ace striker, who led the country's football team to triumph in the just concluded LG Cup in Vietnam, is the country's first footballer to land a deal with a sponsor.

Second Division National Football League 2001-2002 - the complete coverage