HAVING TASTED considerable success with his franchise Atletico de Kolkata in the Indian Super League (ISL), co-owner Sanjiv Goenka may now spread his wings by buying a franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL.)
Goenka indicated the group's plans of venturing into cricket, but refused to confirm rumours about him joining hands with India's ODI captain MS Dhoni or cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
"Sports would be an important area of business for us as we go forward. We are looking beyond football. I am enjoying my stint in sports where ISL is growing in popularity and viewership. And you would see a greater presence from us."
"There are rumours that we are tying up with Dhoni and also Tendulkar. I am not commenting on anything. In any case, everything would be known on December 8 when all these speculations would come to rest," Goenka addressed media persons in an earnings press conference of his flagship company CESC Ltd, as reported by DNA.
The bidding for new teams that will replace suspended franchises Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals is slated for December 8.
Goenka owns a 30 percent stake in ATK, with its balance distributed among other shareholders which includes former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. The foray into sports comes after Goenka's investments in his flagship power business have suffered post a slowdown in the core sector, along with lack of demand for powert. It now seems that sports could well be the new area of growth for the group.