The Hindu Business Line : Parthiv Patel to don gloves for Reliance

THE last time one saw Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) getting actively involved with cricket was during the 1987 cricket World Cup, the Reliance World Cup.

Since then, there hasn't been any significant activity from the Reliance group to indicate that it nurtured any corporate plans with this sport.

But all this is set to change with Reliance deciding to renew its cricketing ties - 17 years after its last big cricketing venture. RIL has chosen the Indian wicket-keeper batsman, Mr Parthiv Patel, as the first sports personality to join the company.

Mr Parimal Nathwani of RIL told the media that Mr Patel would join the company rolls in the capacity of Executive, Sports and Culture.

"No specific job has been assigned to him as he is expected to get on with his real job of playing for the Indian cricket team. While Parthiv is the first sports personality to join Reliance as a full-time employee, this may not be the last such initiative from the side of the company," Mr Nathwani said.

For the 19-year-old Patel, who has been unable to appear for his 12th standard examinations for the past two years due to his cricketing pre-occupations, the Reliance job is expected to provide security, especially on the financial front.

According to RIL officials, Mr Patel's job with Reliance would be for keeps no matter whether he continued in the Indian team or not, as he was not being inducted as a brand ambassador.

Though there was no official word pertaining to Mr Patel's salary package, it is estimated to be around Rs 10 lakh per annum - higher than what a fresh graduate from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad will draw.

Mr Patel, who became the youngest to don the gloves for India at the age of 17, in 2002, said he relished the opportunity to join one of the largest business houses in the country.

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