Central Bank of India joins Delhi 2010 as Official Banking Partner

NEW DELHI: Central Bank of India, one of the country`s leading Nationalised banks, on Monday became the Official Bank Partner for the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. They join Air India, NTPC and Hero Honda in the Delhi 2010 Games family as its partners.

Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Chairman and Mr. S. Sridhar, Central Bank of India Chairman and Managing Director signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect at the headquarters of the Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. (Both are seen the photo).

“The Year of the Games has dawned and I am pleased to welcome India`s first ‘Swadeshi Bank’ as our Official Banking Partner in India,” Mr. Kalmadi said. “The partnership will be mutually beneficial to us. The message and impact of the Commonwealth Games can be felt not just in Delhi but also across the country because the bank has a large network of 3541 branches and 218 extension counters in 27 States and four Union Territories.

“Truly described as a pan-India bank, due to its large network, Central Bank of India will find the Commonwealth Games platform to help it realise Mr. Sridhar`s vision of becoming a global bank. The Games hold interest not only in the 70 nations and territories but also beyond, especially in nations where a large number of NRIs will be tracking the sporting contests,” Mr. Kalmadi said.

“I am thankful to Mr. Sridhar and his team for such warmth and spontaneity. It is in keeping with Central Bank of India`s wonderful track record of supporting sport in India. The bank has associated itself with many events including the 1982 Asian Games, many tennis tournaments and veterans` hockey series,” he said.

“l am delighted that India`s first `Swadeshi bank` has come on board as our banking partner in our bid not only to host a successful Commonwealth Games but also to showcase India as a travel and economic destination,” he said.

“The Commonwealth Business Club of India initiative, with FICCI and CII as our partners, will showcase the synergy between sport and business houses and will go a long way in helping us find overseas partners,” Mr. Kalmadi said.

The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Chairman also said that the Central Bank of India’s network would be used for sale of tickets and merchandise in the run up to and during that Games that start on October 3, 2010.

Mr. Sridhar acknowledged the support from the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi and said that Central Bank of India has always been a part of various events on the national level. He also gave an account of the performance of the Bank and informed that the Bank has turned the corner during the current fiscal.