MUMBAI: Global Cricket Corporation (GCC), the commercial partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has roped in Standard Chartered Bank as the regional official sponsor of the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 for various territories in Asia including India.

As regional official sponsor, Standard Chartered Bank will receive on-ground sponsorship benefits like category exclusivity in all the relevant territories, branding and signage, tickets and hospitality, benefits and protections, informs an official release.

ICC president Percy Sonn says, "We are thrilled that Standard Chartered Bank has joined the ICC's family of supporters by becoming an Official Sponsor. Cricket's ability to attract a world-renowned brand such as Standard Chartered to become an Official Sponsor is a demonstration of the game's global appeal and health."

GCC MD Ian Frykberg says, "We are delighted to welcome Standard Chartered Bank to the family of ICC Champions Trophy 2006 sponsors and their support demonstrates their ongoing commitment to sports."

Standard Chartered Bank India CEO Neeraj Swaroop adds, "With Partnership and Teamwork being core values of the Standard Chartered brand, and given our track record of sponsoring sports events across the world we believe this is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to our stakeholders cutting across boundaries, age groups and socio economic classes."

Says Nimbus Sport CEO Digvijay Singh, "This is Standard Chartered Bank's second major sponsorship in cricket and Nimbus is pleased to have played a key role in bringing them into cricket sponsorships and into the ICC sponsor family."