Dialog GSM signs one year deal with Sri Lankan cricket board

Dialog GSM, Sri Lanka's leading mobile phone operator, has signed a one-year deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) to become their official mobile communications supplier for the year 2002.

The deal includes the provision of mobile phones to cricket board staff members and national players. In addition, the board will receive an undisclosed sponsorship fee.

Apart from being granted official status, Dialog GSM pick up various cricket board advertising properties, including two ground runners per international match.

The agreement replaces a previous one-year deal with Mobitel, who had been the first mobile operator to tie-up with the cricket board.

But Mobitel will still retain their foothold in the cricket market having signed up several leading Sri Lankan players, including captain Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan, for lucrative endorsement deals.

These existing contracts, due to run up until the 2003 World Cup, will not be threatened by the Dialog GSM according to board sources. However, contracted players will not be able to sign endorsements deals with Dialog GSM's competitors.

Dialog GSM will also become the official sponsor for the Under-19 cricket team for a one-year period, with the highest profile event being the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand starting Monday.