Mahindra South Africa has joined the mighty Lions Cricket as Official Vehicle Sponsor.
The two-year partnership was signed recently at the home of Lions Cricket – DP Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg – where the Proteas were preparing for their clash with the Indian cricket team in the last of four T20 International matches.
“As Mahindra enters its third decade in South Africa, we are excited to partner with Lions Cricket as the official vehicle sponsor at the DP World Wanderers Stadium. This collaboration is an important milestone for us, symbolising Mahindra’s growth as a trusted and well-known brand across the country,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.
On the topic of milestones, Mahindra this year celebrated its twentieth anniversary in South Africa and the building of its 20 000th Mahindra Pik Up at its assembly facility in KwaZulu-Natal.
Reaching out
Rajesh explains that the partnership with Lions Cricket stretches well beyond a monetary transaction and Mahindra branding on the team kit and stadium.
“One of the many things that attracted us to Lions Crickets was their focus on supporting communities and causes in Johannesburg and South Africa as a whole. From developing the sport in schools and rural communities to supporting good causes like breast cancer awareness, feeding schemes and the health of young girls at school,” says Rajesh.
“We look forward to supporting these causes as part of our nationwide programme of supporting good South African causes.”
Mahindra a national sponsor of cricket
This is Mahindra’s second major partnership in cricket.
In January this year, Mahindra announced their sponsorship of the Joburg Super Kings, one of the most popular teams in the SA20 Cricket Series.
In this first sponsorship, like in its new partnership with Lions Cricket, Mahindra will support the team with vehicles and funding.
“It only makes sense for Mahindra to offer our new partners a selection of our new generation of SUVs and Pik Up bakkies,” says Rajesh.
Mahindra has recently introduced the all-new Mahindra XUV 3XO to national acclaim. The new compact SUV offers six airbags, vehicle stability control and a high-power turbo-petrol engine from as little as R254 999.
This new model will join the flagship XUV700 and the rugged Scorpio-N, South Africa’s reigning SUV of the Year and Motor Enthusiast Choice, in the Lions’ team fleet. It will also be on display at the DP World Stadium during national and international matches, where Mahindra will engage in exciting activities and give-aways with fans.
Mahindra will also offer the use of its fleet of Pik Up workhorse and lifestyle bakkies to the Lions, allowing them to easily activate and host crowds at the popular DP World Wanderers Stadium.
Says Jono Leaf-Wright, CEO of Lions Cricket: “We are truly grateful for this meaningful partnership and having the backing of the South African business. Like all that we do, we have big dreams and fantastic plans which are now taking shape to leverage our two-year agreement. It’s been a while in the making, we’ve had plenty of discussions on how we can truly make a difference, and we feel that now is the right time to announce the great news.”
The Lions is the reigning T20 Challenge Series champions, the 4-day Domestic Series Champions and its Lions Academy team is the 1-day Series Championes. Jono and his team also received the award as the 2023 Sports Organisation of the Year Award.
Mahindra kick-started its partnership last Friday at DP World Wanderers for the last international T20 test. It will be active at all forthcoming games, including the upcoming game between the DP World Lions andy Western Province in the Cricket South Africa domestic league.