Hyundai Motor India Ltd the official partner of International Cricket Council today unveiled the ‘first ball’ for the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Hyundai has obtained the exclusive rights to showcase the balls that will be used in the first match between India and South Africa on 6th of June 2013 at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, England.
The first ball preview will be organized at the Hyundai showrooms from 30th of May to 4th of June. It will be in New Delhi from 30th May to June 2nd, in Mumbai from 30th May to June 2nd, in Chennai June 1st and 2nd and in Kolkata for June 1st and 2nd and Dehradun on June 1st, Pune June 3 and 4th, Ahmadabad on June 4th and in Chandigarh on June 4th. The first ball initiative is an approach to bring together the cricket fans and celebrate and rejoice the spirit of cricket. The representatives from the company will be handing over the set of balls to the umpires just before the opening match between India and South Africa. Sr. Vice President for sales and marketing, Hyundai Motors, MR. Rakesh Srivastava said that company is passionate about its deep association with ICC for all the cricketing events as an official partner till 2015. With the ‘First Ball’ initiative the company is trying to reach out to its customers and deliver a unique experience to them for connecting with the tournament even before its start, this will help in creating the momentum before the final chorus. Getting attach with the cricket will surely help company to reach out a wider audience.
The first ball will be traveling through 8 cities before reaching its final destination in England. The balls will be displayed in specially selected Hyundai cars at the showrooms. To add to the excitement among the cricket fans, special activities are also being employed that will include games, quizzes and contests. More than that, cricket lover will be able to pen down their thoughts on the cricket balls provided by the showrooms. All these balls will be collected from all over the country and a mega Hyundai Good Wish Wall will be made at the Hyundai ICC Fan Park in New Delhi and similar replicas will adorn fan parks across the country. The fans will be able to track the current location of their balls via Hyundai’s facebook and Twitter fan pages.
During the cricket season, Hyundai Motors India has brought a lifetime opportunity for the true hardcore cricket fans, with Cricket Jockey. As a part of the ‘Blue by Heart’ campaign, Hyundai will be organizing a contest that will be available online for people to participate. Fans will be needed to watch a cricket documentary and then will have to submit commentary in their own voice. The winning Hyundai Crickjockey will get an opportunity of a lifetime to see the real ESPN Cric Info studio in Bengaluru where they will be able to learn entire cricket reporting procedures. They will also get an opportunity for Live Google+ Hangouts with editorial team of ESPN Cricinfo during the Champions trophy matches. Other than this the grand winner of the contest will get an interesting opportunity to write and entire cricketing blog on ESPN cricinfo website. Apart from this there are also several smartphones, tablets and music players to be won. As a part of the campaign Hyundai has already started Trophy Tour earlier this month that was held in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.
