China Southern Airlines has added a Twenty20 cricket charity series to its growing list of Australian sponsorship.
The airline, China’s biggest, made its first foray into Australian sport, signing on as the major sponsor a new cricket tournament between Australia and India – two of its most valued markets.
The China Southern Airlines Tournament, Twenty20 charity series will take place every two years, beginning in Sydney in October with Cricket NSW and the Mumbai Cricket Association competing for the NSW Maharashtra Cricket Cup.
“We know how important cricket is to India and Australia and China Southern is proud to be able to use our international network to bring Mumbai’s best cricketers to Sydney for the inaugural match of this very exciting new Twenty20 cricketing series,” said China Southern Regional General Manager Australia/New Zealand, Henry He.
China Southern operates daily connections between Sydney and Delhi via its hub in Guangzhou.
The airline has been actively promoting its new Canton Route – between Australia and London via Guangzhou, which commences on June 5.
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said China Southern’s support would help make the event a great success.
“I am delighted with this support from China Southern Airlines for what will be a big moment for cricket in NSW,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“With China Southern Airlines getting behind the event, two of our most important
trading partners, India and China, have come together.”
Funds raised during the inaugural China Southern Airlines Tournament will go to the 40K Foundation which takes on joint venture projects to reduce poverty in developing countries. A new charity will be chosen to benefit from each series.
Earlier this year, China Southern invested $600,000 to be a major sponsor of the 2012 Sydney Festival.
From June 5, China Southern’s new Canton Route will offer Australians a new way to Europe and London via the airline’s modern hub in Guangzhou, southern China.
The Guangzhou-based airline currently flies 11 times a week between Sydney and Guangzhou, 10 flights a week from Melbourne, four times a week from Brisbane and three times a week from Perth. It also offers daily direct services from Guangzhou to Auckland.
China Southern operates the largest airline fleet in Asia and with more than 80 million passengers carried in 2011. It is the third largest carrier in the world. ■
*Pictured: NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell with China Southern Regional General Manager Australia/New Zealand, Henry He.
