Corporate heads turn cheerleaders

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In a country that breathes and sleeps cricket its ubiquity pans across ordinary people to the who’s who of the land. While they are busy running their businesses, they also take time off to cheer for their men in blue, some mixing business with pleasure. Sulekha Nair and Banasree Purkayastha find out some of the honchos westward and how they intend to get the most out of the World Cup

I am off for the World Cup. You cannot be not supporting India even if you believe that they may not be the best team? So, I will be true to the men in blue!" says Jiggy George, director, Cartoon Network Enterprises. With the level of enthusiasm for the World Cup increasing by the day, no wonder corporate India is busy seeing off its honchos heading for sun, sand and cricket, not necessarily in that order.

While the distance and the lack of awareness regarding the Caribbean may have been an initial dampner, corporate executives are working out travel plans in the US to pack in a few matches in the midst of swinging deals. Says Sunil Jhangiani, CEO, Chemistry, part of ESJ House, which export garments, who is going to Antigua for a week. "I will be be in New York in the last week of March. So I am planning to go to Antigua for a week as I enjoy cricket." Jhangiani has been to the 1997 World Cup in England too. And his favourites in the Indian team are "a few exciting cricketers like Robin Utthappa, Yuvraj, Irfan, Dhoni, and of course the dependables Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly." But his absolute favourites, he says, are Sachin and Dravid. Besides the willow, he enjoys football too. "I enjoy football and have seen some live games but intend to catch the World Cup someday." And he is hooked to the game now. For George, while cheering the Indian team is very important, he also acknowledges the strengths of the other teams. "I am a big Sachin fan but I love Ricky Ponting who epitomizes modern day leadership… he comes good every time the team needs him!," he points out.

V.N. Dhoot, chairman of the Videocon group and a great cricket aficianado, is sure to go at least for the semis and the finals. And while he’s still to take a final decision, Pawan Munjal, managing director, Hero Honda, is also likely to be there to cheer the Indians on.

Of course, official sponsors have more than one reason to visit the Caribbean. Says Kunal Dasgupta, CEO, SET India, "We are the official broadcasters of the ICC Cricket World Cup and I am going there for work as well as to enjoy the long awaited tournament and enjoy the game of cricket with my friends."

Another die-hard fan who's going all the way to the Caribbean islands is O P Manchanda, COO, Dr Lal PathLabs. "I am going to watch the World Cup since cricket is my favourite game. In fact, I was quite a keen player during my school and college school days. I have been to England to watch the World Cup in 1983. I am a proud Indian and I will cheer for India. My favourite player is MS Dhoni. He is busy behind the wickets during the entire match and still scores better than anybody else. Besides, cricket, I am quite passionate about polo too, which I also watch live."