A five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the naming rights of one of the most iconic stadiums of the country, the National Stadium Karachi.
According to the MoU, the NSK will now be known as National Bank Cricket Arena rather than being called National Stadium. The deal also includes promotion of grassroots level cricket in the country alongside scouting the talent from several rural areas of Pakistan.
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja while commenting on the deal said that,
“I want to welcome the National Bank of Pakistan back in the PCB family after having supported Pakistan cricket in the past. NBP again partnering with the PCB is a great news as this reflects that prestigious organisations are willing to be associated with the Pakistan cricket brand as they see a lot of value in it for themselves.
“Additionally, I am grateful to the National Bank of Pakistan for also extending support to the PCB Pathways Programme. I have always emphasised on creating processes for the raw talent that can be professionally channelized into the national framework. In this background, this partnership with NBP is a significant movement in that direction.”
NBP President & CEO Rehmat Ali Hasnie was quoted as saying,
“We are delighted to partner with the Pakistan Cricket Board. The National Stadium, Karachi is one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world and has hosted some of the legends of all eras since Test cricket was first played there.
“We are honoured to associate with such an incredible cricket venue, our endeavour during the next five years would be to help the PCB further uplift the venue while making contributions to Pakistan cricket across the country at the grass root level simultaneously.”
As per the MoU, the National Bank of Pakistan will be allowed to use the venue nomenclature and signage outside the playing area.
